It's chili season...

I love to eat chili, but really hate to make chili and then eat it. Wierd huh? I just don't really like beans and the "sauce" in the cans of beans grosses me out. I know, I'm a little strange. But tonight I made some WONDERFULLY DELICIOUS chili and I wanted to share the recipe! Even after 3 trips to the grocery store it was worth it. See, Matt took the kids to St Joe with him with the deal that I would get groceries. We both despise this job, but this sounded great to me, not only did I not have kids for a few hours, but hopefully I would get a little free time after groceries. And I probably would have had I not gotten so ambitious. After getting groceries and putting them all away (even worse than the shopping part) I decided to start the chili. But alas I had forgotten the diced tomatoes, so off to Family Fare I go... upon my return I realize that I got only half of the amount that I needed. So off I go again, within 5 minutes I had left and returned to the same store. So anyway, even after all of that running and inconveniencing I say it was worth it and from all the reviews they say it's better on day 2, and since there is PLENTY of it left I intend to eat it for lunch tomorow. We topped it with tortilla chips, cheese, avacado and sour cream! What a great food weekend this was! Back to reality tomorow though. I babysit five days this week, so I'm going to be exhausted by this weekend, but it will be worth it! Have a great week!

ahhhh-mazing!

So, I totally recommend the Melting Pot to EVERYONE! Maybe for a special occasion as it is quite expensive, but SOOOOO good!
Here's what we had:
Mediterranean Cheese Fondue - Fontina and Grùyere cheeses blended with roasted garlic, dates, shallots and a touch of white truffle oil. (We opted for no dates)
Athenian Salad - Crisp romaine and iceberg lettuce, ham, pepperoni, roasted red pepper, Kalamata olives tossed in a light
white balsamic vinaigrette and sprinkled with Feta cheese
Entree:Fondue Fusion which consists of about 6-8 pieces of each of the following (except the pasta which was one piece)
Lobster Tail
Filet Mignon Medallion
Balsamic-Marinated Sirloin
Garlic and Herb Chicken
Citrus Pork Tenderloin
White Shrimp
Wild Mushroom Ravioli
Roasted Red Pepper Rigatoni
Fresh Vegetables (unlimited)
This portion of the meal also came with about 9 different dipping sauces/cheeses! I love to dip so this was a pleasant suprise, the trick was trying to remember what was what!
And for the ABSOLUTE BEST PART OF THE MEAL:
Dessert Disaronno® Meltdown
Silky white chocolate swirled with Disaronno Originale amaretto and flambéed tableside.
Served with: Dippers...
Fresh strawberries, bananas, cheesecake, tasty marshmallows these are marshmallows covered in oreos (which were absolutely heavenly) and graham crackers,
pound cake, shortbread and brownies for you to dip into any of our
decadent chocolate fondue creations.

Oh, and I had one of these too... yummy!
Love Martini
Love at first sip! Malibu rum,
Peach Schnapps, cranberry juice
and fresh strawberries.

I would go back just to have dessert! Matt even LOVED it and he is not a big dessert eater! It was soooo wonderful!

(Oh, and Susie, it was where you were thinking it was... I was confused, sorry!)

We also made it to the mall adn I picked up a few things with my coupon, so it was a good night all around!

Tomorow we get to go to St Joe and do some yard work after church. We did our own today, I even powerwashed the swing set, that thing was dirty!!! I had to wear Matt's raincoat though, I'm sure i was qutie a sight, good thing no one was around!

Hello Again...

Besides picture/layout posts it's been a while! I'm having a little free time tonight (Lucky me)! Matt took the boys to the football game and Bailey is at a friends house! Peace and quiet!!!!!! Did I mention peace? I'm doing absolutely NOTHING! Matt is normally great about me getting alone time, GREAT, but since his hand has been "broken" he can't do really anything so it hasn't been possible, today though he got a hard cast put on and says it feels so much better and gives him much more freedom and ability to do things (although he isn't ready to change a dirty diaper yet...wonder how long that will last????)

He is winning BIG points this weekend, not only am I home alone right now but tomorow night we have reservations for dinner here! He has been refusing to go ever since I heard about it, but I caught him in a moment of weakness and now we have plans!!!! I'm so excited. He even is going to take me to the mall afterward to use a coupon I have!!!!! Hmmmmmm... now I'm thinking about this and I wonder what he did wrong????? (Just kidding, I know he just loves me!)

And another layout... and no I didn't scrap all of these in one day I just have had them sitting just waiting to be uploaded... and now most of them are! This one isn't yet though!

Yup... Elliot is an official walker now! He still falls and he still crawls sometimes, but he walks more often than crawls and he is just SOOO darn cute with his stiff little knees!

Some layouts...

Here are some layouts I just uploaded to some galleries, showcasing some stuff from Amy Wolff (you were right Amanda) for the new BYOC at the Lilypad! (Credits can be seen here)




Enjoy & have a good weekend...

Trick Or Treat!

I LOVE this picture... it's from when we were watching Landon's costume parade... it shows so much truth!

Bailey is very proud that she can make it across this thing... not sure what to call it!

Bailey & her teacher
Elliot watching the costume parade at Bailey's school...

Bailey, Angela, Elliot, Dimitri & Landon
Elliot was WALKING! A LOT! I THINK WE MAY FINALLY HAVE FIGURED IT ALL OUT! Of course it was while I was trying to take a picture, so I think I may have figured out the benefit to not walking...

Bailey, Elliot & Landon
Right before we started to trick-or-treat it started to rain, we were going to go anyway as it was just a light rain (although we had a back up plan, sorry we didn't make it Sarah), but then the rain quit and we got a beautiful view. Look how the tops of the trees are just glowing!
Elliot didn't make it far before he fell asleep! He was wiped out from all the activities of the day and may just sleep in tomorow morning!
Hope you all had a wonderful halloween!

What a day...

I've had a really good day... I was asked (unsolicited I should add) to be on two different creative teams today! (Digi scrapping stuff in case you aren't following...) One I've been a guest for in the past and the other I don't know much about, but am so pumped! Matt thought I was a little wierd when I got one of the messages b/c I was so giddy!

BSF tonight was good again. Good in a painful way though, I have been so convicted regarding one issue in my life for the past few weeks and know that God is telling me I need to do something. I love to know that God is giving me clear direction, but sometimes it's hard to do what he wants. This is no exception. Hard not because it hurts necesarily, but because it's something that I'm just not good at. I have to trust that the Holy Spirit is working in me and will give me what I need.

Flu shots tomorow morning for Matt, Landon & I, then Bailey & Elliot are this weekend (two different doctors). Landon is excited, he likes to get shots... WIERD-O! (Love him dearly though!)

Just a quickie post, I had to share my good news, but I have another early morning tomorow so I need to get to bed soon!

Nothing new, just a few pics...

We carved pumpkins tonight... or I should say "I" carved pumpkins tonight. The kids scraped them out and Matt helped a little with that, but the carving was my job this time. Normally, this is Matt's job, but I did it w/o to much trouble this year. This all makes me SOOOO thankful for the things Matt does every day for our family!


And, I worked on Baileys halloween costume for quite a while today and am happy with it so far... there will also be more "ice cream" on top of her head with a cherry on top too! (Thanks to the Family Fun magazine that I found at the dr's office for the great idea)


Hope all had a good weekend!

Very Image Heavy Post

So... it's not crying... but it's Elliot being silly! Maybe Sadie can find some joy in this! (I still do have the other one of him throwing a tantrum, and will try to upload it soon, but not yet... this one took long enough)!



Elliot was being such a goof tonight. He was making silly faces all the time! He has is yes and no's down and can tell you what he wants! He all of a sudden seems so much older to us! Maybe it's the teeth!
Look at these BIG eyes!
Here is a pic of Matt's arm... it spends much time above his head like this, to keep swelling down and to prevent the throbbing (not that it helps much). I think it's bothering him pretty bad, but he's still being super helpful (as much as expected with one arm).

A HUGE thank you to Sarah for taking the kids this afternoon. I was soooo grumpy, I was ready to bite someone's head off and she saved the day. She took the kids for about 4 hours and I took a GREAT nap! I'm not really quick to ask for help, or accept help that is offered, but I'm so glad she offered today, I'm sure my kids are too, I'm not much fun when I'm crabby!

Church tomorow, then dinner at my dad and Mary's, then home for the rest of the longest weekend EVER! It feels like I've done nothing all weekend, which makes the weekends DRAG!!! Oh well, I don't know to many people who complain about a LONG weekend!

Great day...

So Matt is doing ok, lot's of pain, but pain killers are wonderful little things! Now he just needs to get some sleep! That didn't come so easy last night. I ended up with a migraine too (definately a raw onion thing) so he was in charge of kiddies too. What a man! I did feel guilty, but what can I do, I can't open my eyes and all noises really hurt! He came home from work early and is trying to sleep, or at least rest right now!

OK, so on to the GOOD stuff... I was at Target this morning and the girl was stocking the candy shelves, but not just any candy, the GOOD candy. The Christmas candy. She was putting the Cherry Cordial kisses on the shelf and I asked if she had Candy cane ones... I spotted them, in a box, down the aisle, and I proceeded to grab 2 bags, I'm sure I'll be back soon for many many more though! I need to stock up this year so they last me a while! Oh how I love Candy Cane Kisses!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we are going to watch Meet the Robinsons tonight with the kids and have a low key night. I know matt and I are both exhausted. I'll let you know what I think of it!

It's over...

They did what they thought they were going to be able to do. Screw is in, bones are set. should last him at least another 5+ years til we have to do it again, or something again at least! I should be able to see him in about 30 minutes now... time is going relatively fast. i got my BSF done and luckily I have this great contraption to waste time on!

Live from St Mary's...

Matt just headed back to surgery, could be a few hours til I see him again. I was able to meet the doctor and he seemed very nice, he said he would show me some x-rays when he comes out after surgery. He also said that if arthritis has set in to much they will not be able to fix it the way they thought and will do a temporary fix in that case. One thing I didn't think about that the doctor brought up was he won't be able to shovel snow. One thing I've always depended on him doing, now he can't. YUCK! I was half tempted to make him get up out of that bed and come back in the spring... but that would be selfish. So anyway, I'll update later, before anyone really probably even gets a chance to read this I'm sure!

I hate when things get messed up...

We were planning on taking the kids to school and then heading up to the hospital as the surgury was scheduled for 11 or so, we didn't need to be there til 9 so that was perfect. But the call from the hospital today (at 4:30) changed all that. We now need to be there at 7 to prepare for the 8:15 surgery. Lovely so as I'm cooking dinner, I also need to make phone calls to make arrangements for the kids, get all homework done and backpacks ready, and the kids packed, plus I was watching another girl for a friend. All chaos broke out! Plus we had to be at church at 6:30! But alas, God is good and everything worked out, the kids are now at Mary's house, Matt stayed home from church (not that he normally goes on Wednesday nights) got Elliot packed, the kids were able to pack themselves before leaving and Sharon is picking the kids up for school for me!

So, quick post, and I will probably head to bed so that I can get a little sleep, waking up during the five o'clock hour just isn't my thing, so I'm sure I will need to recover a bit tomorow. Hopefully all goes well with surgery and he is able to heal it correctly. The doctor told him there were no guarantees, and if it doesn't work they will have to fuse it... pray for success please!

Elliot was so fun today... he is so close to walking. He took multiple steps multiple times today, but the only way he can do it is if he isn't thinking about doing it! If he knows what he's doing, he absolutely won't do it! But were close! Very very close!

These lyrics...

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to take Him at His Word;
Just to rest upon His promise,
And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Refrain:Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!
How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;
Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!
Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Oh, how sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just to trust His cleansing blood;
And in simple faith to plunge me’
Neath the healing, cleansing flood!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,
Just from sin and self to cease;
Just from Jesus simply taking
Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Thee,
Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;
And I know that Thou art with me,
Wilt be with me to the end.

These are the lyrics to a song that was included when I purchased the new Casting Crowns CD off itunes, it is sung by Casting Crowns and almsot has a lullaby sound to it! It's actually an old hymn, written in the 1800's I think, but they gave it a good upadte! I LOVE it! There is so many good songs on this cd, we've been listening to it NON-STOP, alternating between that, Toby and Jonah!

Last night at BSF we talked about the eight character traits of God's people. I have to say that I have been VERY convicted lately, in so many ways and places. It seems everything I hear, read or see has some way of convicting me! This was no exception. The traits are... Poor in Spirit, Mourn, Meek, Hunger and thirst for righteousness, Merciful, Pure in heart, Peacemakers, andPersecuted because of righteousness. I was really convicted by the definition we were given for: Meekness: Humility and submission to Gods will. Not being defensive, let God defend us. Don't exalt ourselves above God or others, submission to where God placed us in our lives. If we submit God gives us contentment and we inherit joy. I've been stuggling a bit with being at home and doing NOTHING. Not that I really do nothing, but in the eyes of the world, my job is not all that valued. I am confident that I'm where he wants me, just not fully ok with it yet. Merciful: There is NO EXCEPTION to who we show mercy to, no matter what the action was. Peacemakers: Take the peace we have with God and act it out in our lives. Not demanding we are right. We may have to compromise on our preferences. Without compromising God's word or truths though. So, yeah, these are a few of the things I need to work on right now. Just a few, really the list is just to long to enter here. But know that I'm working on it, all of it, one thing at a time.

So... on to other things. I got my pictures today from Winkflash. Love them. OK, so I love Landon & Elliots, I may have to redo Bailey's. not fully happy with the color of hers, but I'm thrilled with the rest. True fall pictures! I can't believe how many pictures I got for $18. Seriously great deal!

I have the day off tomorow! Good stuff, really it just means I dont have to get up before the sun even thinks about getting up. Not much else is different though really. Just one kid instead of two, and more mobile.

Class tonight was good. Better than last week. I'm actually learning something. walking around with Selena helps a lot, hopfully she doesn't mind me tagging along so much! we walked downtown and took pictures tonight. Looking for letters. Not just signs, but other things that make letters. I would post an example, but I'm to lazy, maybe later!

So, hope you are all having a wonderful week!

Soooo bummed!

We went to Crane's this afternoon, Landon brought a friend and we headed out with big intentions of getting some wonderful fresh apples, cider donuts, hayride etc only to have those plans quickly ruined by the news that they quit apple picking last weekend. The warm weather made the apples ready quicker this year so the picking season was shorter. So instead we picked up some donuts and headed home! The kids didn't quite understand what we were driving for so long for!

So, this is a pretty lame post... nothing new going on here!

This week has lot's more in store for us... lot's of busyness, but the nice part is my wonderful husband will be home to help! Monday - BSF; Tuesday - class; Wednesday - church; Thursday - surgury; Friday - Garage Sale! Fun fun fun!

Just a quick one...

Landon lost his last football game today. Those West Ottawa refs are difficult to say the least! Bummer that they lost and I will miss parts of football, but on the bright side I have my husband home nights now for a month or so (til b-ball starts at least!).

We headed to St Joe with Mary & my dad and a slew of kids right after the games were over (D had a soccer game too which I hear they won!!!), to fill up the dumpster yet again and to set up for the garage sale which we will be having next weekend. We had to get all the heavy lifting stuff done b/c Matt will be wearing a beautiful new accessory next weekend and won't be able to do as much (a cast). I think we got the majority done though, the boys were INCREDIBLE! Matt said he couldn't imagine doing everything we did without them. They made so many trips up the steps with frood from the freezer, boxes from storage and junk from the work room. They were GREAT!!!!!!

Tomorow is Cranes at some point, because football is on to ya know and we can't miss that!! :)