Madison's 3rd Birthday with Dora!

Madison turned THREE years old on the 19th. We celebrated with lots of family and a couple of friends last night. The biggest hit of the party with Dora! Madison and all of the kids had a blast! Check it out!

Time Out

Here he is...at almost 18 months....in time out.This is first time out at home. He's sat in time out several times at Fit Kids (the nursery at the Fitness Center) for hitting and pulling hair. I still can't believe he will actually sit in a chair and not get up. I have tried it once before at home and it did not work. But, after hearing the director of Fit Kids tell me about him staying in his time out chair I decided to give it one more try.

Logan's favorite thing to climb all around these days is our fireplace. He tries to climb up on the brick and open and shut the doors to the fireplace. I literally tell him to get down probably 10 times a day. I spank him and get him down, but he gets right back up. So, I just tried putting him in time out and it seems to have worked. He did not go back to the fire place!

So, we'll see!

My Valentine

Chocolate Goodness! These miniature trifles are sure to make my Valentine go weak in the knees! This is one of Gabe's favorite desserts.

This year is our 4th Valentine's Day together as a married couple. It's been tradition for Gabe to take me out to eat and for me to cook him a special meal each year to celebrate Valentine's Day. I usually pull out a special table cloth that was given to us by a dear friend. It is monogrammed with the date we got engaged and the date we got married. Gabe used it the night he propose and I try to pull it out each year, along with our china. However, it's getting harder and harder to do with kids. This year he requested a shrimp boil and trifle. So, no china or special table cloth this year. But, don't worry. Both will be brought out soon!

I know that I don't say it enough, but I really do love you, Gabe, with all my heart. I know that I don't always "act" like I'm in love with you, but my loyalty to you is strongern now tha ever. As long as you don't ask me to give up my shrimp or crab legs, I'd do anything for you to make you happy!

And, I'm not the only one who is crazy about you. The kids are SUPER crazy about their daddy! Their spirits lift the second you walk in the door. I can only hope that the kids end up with more traits like YOU than their momma! Ha!

Happy Valentine's Day to YOU!

First Snow

We got a tiny bit of snow early this morning...

I'm not crazy about playing out in the snow, but I let Madison go out for a little bit after lunch while Logan was still napping. She mostly just walked around in it and made "footprints." She soaked her pair of mittens and asked for another pair. Too bad I didn't have another pair!We made snow ice cream, but by the time I collected the snow it was already too wet and slushy. It tastes more like a homeade ice cream flavored snowcone. Sure hope school is not canceled tomorrow!

Corn Chowder

Last night I made this chowder recipe out of our church's cookbook. I thought it was good and easy to make. Not sure Gabe was a big fan of it, but maybe it was because it had potatoes in it. He's not a fan of potatoes. This definitely is not a healthy meal...loaded with two starchy veggies, half and half, and topped with bacon. Oh well!

Corn Chowder

5 slices bacon
1 onion
1 can diced potatoes, drained
2 cans corn
1 can cream of mushroom
1 can creamed corn
2 1/2 cups half and half
1 tsp salt

Fry bacon, drain, and crumble. Saute' diced onion in bacon grease. Then add all other ingredients and simmer until heated. Top with bacon and shredded sheddar cheese.

Enjoy!

Long time no see!

I know, I know! It's been a REALLY long time since I've blogged. Like, over a month. I honestly have not had anything to blog about and frankly just haven't been in the mood. Here's what we've been up to:

Madison will be THREE on February 19th. It's kind of hard to believe, yet I'm glad we've almost made it to three. It's been a very challenging, but fun three years. I've been planning a very simple "Dora" party for Madison. That is the theme she chose. I am not going all out on decorations, in fact, there will probably be none exept for a few ballons. But, I will be cooking a big meal. We will have Dora cupcakes and sugar cookies and....Dora and Boots WILL BE at the party! Oh, yes they will. Madison knows they are coming and I can't wait to see her face when they arrive. We took this picture today out in the yard to use on her birthday invitation. I can't wait to see the finished product!
Besides planning for a Dora party, I've been busy keeping up with my Professional Development hours for my teaching certification. I've kept up with my certification each year since I quit teaching. It's a chore to get 60 hours each year, but it's worth it to have my license current at all times.

We've enjoyed many warm days lately here in Russellville. It's kind of been strange, but we really haven't had a very cold winter. I'm loving it. I've been running outside on the days that it is warm instead of hitting the gym. It does so much more for me mentally to be outside. It's great "thinking" time!

Logan is still into everything these days, although it seems like it's getting a little bit better. He and Madison play very well together and Madison has been calling him "Buddy" lately. I think it's pretty cute. Her teachers at school said she keep a very close eye on him during playtime in the gym. I have no doubt that Madison will be ready for Kindergarten! In fact, I think she may be ready to teach kindergarten by the time she is old enough to enter! Ha!

Some other exciting news is that our new Minister of Music just moved to town today! I had the pleasure of attending OBU with him. We sang together in Ouachita Singers and even went on tour to China together with the Ouachita Singers. I consider it such a priviledge to get to serve in music with a special friend. I know God has many great things in store for FBC, Russellville.

Well, the dishes are waiting and I'm still in my workout clothes. Better hit the shower and get busy!