Winter Storm Baking

Told you I was going to do better...two posts in one day. This is not about my kids but what I made my kids. It was yummalicious.

BITE-SIZE SOUR CREAM-POUND CAKE CUPCAKES

1/2 C. Butter, softened
1/2 (8 oz.) Cream cheese, softened
2 C. Sugar
4 Large Eggs
1 t. Vanilla
3 C. All-purpose flour
1 t. Baking powder
1/2 t. Baking soda
1/2 t. Salt
1 (8 oz.) Container Sour Ceam
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

1. Pre-heat oven to 350. Beat butter and cream cheese at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy. Beat in sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating until blended after each addition. Stir in vanilla.

2. Combine flour and next 3 ingredients. Gradually add to butter miture alternately with xour cream, beating until blended. Spoon batter by rounded tablespoonfuls into lightly greased miniatrue muffin pans.

3. Bake at 350 for 13 - 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted inc enters comes out clean. (I undercooked these a few minutes and let them finish baking out of the oven...make sense). Spread cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting.

VANILLA BUTTERCREAM FROSTING

1/2 C. butter, softened
1 (3 oz.) Cream cheese, softened
2 t. Vanilla
1 (16 oz.) pkg. Powdered sugar
3 - 4 T. Milk

1. Beat first 3 ingredients at medium speed with an electric mixer until creamy.

2. Gradually add powdered sugar alternately with 3 T. milk, beating at low speed until blended and smooth after each addition.

If I were to ever open up my own bakery I would make these. They are so yummy. Enjoy!!!!

Will Try Harder to Blog

I have been a bad blogger. Most of the time I think it is because I have nothing to blog about. Then I think to myself..."Self...are you kidding me? You have 4 kids."

I have been (just like several other people) snowed in my house and spent alot (probably too much) time reading and catching up on blogs. Many I have read said they blog so they can have a journal for their kids. I often wonder why blog when there are maybe 2 people who read it but my perspective has changed.

SO...

for my 2 readers who give me a hard time for not blogging...I am going to try to do a better job for my kids. I am getting older and they are growing up so fast and I want to remember the little things that they do.

So...

for my first blog back I would like to introduce you to my husband CHRIS ANDERSON.

He is my answer to prayer. When I was in high school I made a list of things to pray for in a husband. Chris fit everything on my list. I am so sad that I cannot find that list. However, one thing (there are many) I do remember praying is that my future husband would not have to play sports well but know a little bit about it where he could carry on an intelligent conversation about it. Well, if you know Chris, he knows EVERYTHING about sports. Sports you know well like football, basketball, baseball, etc. and then the not so common sports like hockey, soccer, tennis (which we NEVER watch but he could tell you all about it).

Here are some fun facts about him that I love...

1. He loves me unconditionally and shows me every day.

2. He is extremely patient.

3. He is so kind and not easily angered (believe me I give him alot of opportunities to be angry...no "amens" from family members please)

4. He is a servant. He would do anything for anyone.

5. He is a fun Dad. He makes the most mundane things seem fun.

6. He is very frugal...we make a good match because I am not (but am working on it).

7. He has such a tender heart and is always quick to seek forgiveness if he has done something wrong.

8. He has never met a stranger and everyone he meets leaves feeling as though they are best friends.

9. He is full of ideas. If anyone asks for a solution to a problem or suggestions to solve a problem he always has a thought and it is good.

10. He loves me!!!!!!!

Several years ago we were questioning where God had us and what God's will was for us. I told him that God had great things planned for him. I am so proud of him for being obedient to what God wanted us to do instead of what I wanted to do. He has really stepped up to leadership roles in our church and in our student ministry. It is so fun to see him interact with students. They love him and trust him. There have been several times when there have been students who are having problems and they call Chris. He loves them and is often meeting and taking them to lunch and just hanging out with them. What a good example he is to our kids of loving God, loving others and serving others. I want each one of our kids to be just like their Daddy.

Now to the picture up on top of this post...

Let me start off by saying when I ask Chris to go to the store to pick up a few things he ALWAYS comes back with more than what is on the list because it looked good or it was a good deal.

Last week I asked Chris to stop by the Asian market to get some Jasmine rice because I could not find any at Wally World. He called and asked how much rice usually was. I couldn't remember because I hadn't bought it in such a long time. He said that he got a big bag. Well what I thought was a big bag and what he thought was a big bag was two different things. He came home with a 20 POUND BAG OF JASMINE RICE...seriously. I have the picture to prove it. He was so proud of himself. I almost wet my pants I was laughing so hard.

That is Chris. I love him so much!!!!

Answered Prayer

This has been a very busy and fun few weeks. Christmas was a little more special this year because of answered prayer. From the time Christopher was born we have prayed for the day when God would make himself real to him. I can honestly say there were days of frustration and anxiousness. It would seem like he would ask good questions and really seem interested and be so close and then in the same sentence would totally change the subject. We knew he was not quite ready and it would be God's timing and not ours.

Well, December 4 we put the kids to bed and Christopher walked out and said, "Daddy I need to talk to you." He told Christ that the night before in his bed he "asked Jesus into his heart all by myself." We were kind of surprised because he had not said anything to us. Chris talked to him for a while and then took him to breakfast the next morning to talk to him. We did not want to put any words into his mouth and wanted him to tell us what was happening. After alot of prayer and conversations we really feel like he truly understands salvation.

On December 27 Chris got to baptize him. That was such a special day for all of us. Christopher was so excited he had asked over and over when was he going to be baptized. It was so sweet.

This will definitely be a Christmas we will not forget . I am so thankful for a God who answers prayer in His timing and in His way.

Kaityn Mae

Tonight Chris took the older three with him to church and Kaityn Mae and I are just hanging out. Oh how I love this little girl. She is our baby and I find myself trying to soak up everything she does. She is such a girly girl who loves everthing princess...Cinderella, Snow White, Aerial, Sleeping Beauty, etc. Her little personality is showing up these days and we just laugh.

Here are some Kaityn Mae-Mae facts...

*She LOVES her brothers ("Poopa" - Cooper;" Fiffa" - Christopher) and her sister "My Kaben" )Kaibryn. She never just says Kaibryn it is always preceded by the word "My" it is the cutest thing ever.

*She is potty trained (Hallelujah and boo hoo at the same time)

*If two things look alike she says, "Those sames."

*If you give her something like a gift she says, "Oh, thank-you-so-muuuuch" in a whisper/excited voice.

*She loves books and puzzles.

*She loves to wear a dress or skirt.

*She changes clothes and shoes non-stop throughout the day.

*She loves to wear bows and always requests one when I fix her hair.

*She can be a tad bit bossy at times.

*She gets very concerned if someone gets hurt. She is so kind hearted and likes to make sure everyone is OK.

*She is always carrying a baby around and sometimes two. One she usually calls the "Mommy baby" and the other is the "Baby baby."

*She talks fast and loud when she is really excited about something. Which means we usually cannot understand what she is saying.

*She will tattle on herself. If she gets put in time out at Sunday school or LIttle Sprouts she usually lets us know before we ask.

*Will sing the "Dora" theme song ALL DAY LONG if we would let her.

*She LOVES to point out all the baby Jesus's in a manger scene. She will point and say, "Oh, baby Jesus."

This is just a little about our princess. She makes us smile. She is growing up so fast. I cannot believe she is almost 3. It makes me sad and happy at the same time.

*

Thankful Thursday (a day late)

1. I am so thankful that today is Friday which means after today I will have all four of my kiddos home for several days.

2. I am SO THANKFUL that Chris took today off. He NEVER does that.

3. I am thankful for grandparents who jump at the chance and even volunteer to watch the kids so I can do things like go to the kids Christmas parties at their school.

4. I am thankful that all our Christmas shopping is finished and almost everything is wrapped.

5. I am thankful for a "Scentsy" that is making my house smell YUMMY!!!!!!

6. I am thankful that this has been a busy but fun week.

7. I am thankful God has created me to be organized and a planner. Chris makes fun of me quite frequently. This came in handy yesterday morning when I woke up and realized that I was supposed to take cookies to Kaityn's party and I had forgotten. I used the snowmen cookies I made the day before for Christopher and Kaibryn's parties today...the white chocolate I ended up not needing the day before (I almost threw it out)...black frosting I had saved from my cake class. It took me about 15 minutes to get the cookies decorated. So Kaityn had her cookies and they are probably the cutest cookies I have made (if I do say so myself). :)

8. I am thankful for God's loving way of teaching me. He has given me today and everything I need for right now . Too many times I say, "I can't wait until.........". When I focus on whatever is next I miss the blessing of "today." "This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it."

9. I am so thankful for this time of year. God has blessed us in so many ways. I always look forward to a new year. I love fresh starts no matter what it is...filling an empty pantry....Mondays....etc. God's mercies truly are new every morning. I am so grateful for his faithfulness.

Chickasha Lights

Last night we loaded up in the van and headed to Chickasha to look at the lights. It was so fun to hear the kids "oo" and "ah" over everything they saw. They also enjoyed some "posing" for the camera.

Thankful Thursday

I say this every year..."I can't believe it is December already." Well, once again, "I CANNOT BELIEVE IT IS DECEMBER." Seriously!!!!!

I have so much to be thankful for. It is so easy for me to look at everything that isn't going the way I would hope it would and lose my focus. When I stop (like I am doing right now) and think about all the things I have to be grateful for (big & little) it changes everything.

So here goes...

1. I am so thankful that here in a little while when my kiddos go to bed I am going to veg out on the couch and watch TV with Chris.

2. I am so thankful for Chris who stays calm when I am in a panic over certain situations.

3. I am thankful that my kids got SO EXCITED when they found out I was making brownies.

4. I am thankful that Kaityn Mae has worn big girl undies for two days with no accidents...including Little Sprouts today. She is growing up so quickly. She called Cooper "Cooper" today instead of "Poopah." NOOOOOOO!!!!!!

5. I am thankful for sweet friends who make me laugh and are just fun to hang out with..there is nothing like girl friends.

6. I am thankful that Christmas break is coming up. I have some fun things planned for me and the kids to do. Looking forward to a relaxed schedule. Just hope my kids can learn to sleep in past 7:15 by then. :)

7. I am thankful for my Mom. I seriously don't know what I would do without her. She is fun to be with and willing to help do anything. I have not felt very good this week and she has helped so much!!!!!

8. I am thankful that Cooper went to the ENT Dr. this week. I really like this Dr. and know that he is going to do whatever he can to help Cooper. He probably is willing to help him because Cooper's Mom was quite tearful during his appointment. :)

9. I am thankful that I was able to be around my nephew over Thanksgiving (and my brother and sister-in-law). I cannot even begin to express the joy he brings to my heart. Seeing my brother being a Daddy is great!!!!!

10. I am thankful that Lee and his girlfriend came here for Thanksgiving. I miss him alot and was worried the kids would not remember him. I WAS WRONG!!!!! They wrestled and played with him all day. It was great.

11. I am thankful for having a job that I really enjoy and the opportunity to work with some great girls.

12. I am thankful my husband has a job that he LOVES!!!!! I don't always like the hours he has to work but God is really blessing him and our family for his hard work.

13. I am thankful for God's faithfulness in providing everything we need plus so much more.

What are you thankful for?????