BBQ Cook-Off

We went to the annual Montgomery County Fair and Cook-off on April 16th. I have been invited the last three years by a good friend of Kane's. We enjoy going every year and eating some yummy BBQ!!! Dennis (the guy who invites us) and his team can make some great ribs, brisket, chicken, sausage, even the beans are yummy!!! The last two years I have taken homemade banana pudding up there for them. That is my gift for the awesome BBQ they serve us!!!

The best part of the cook-off is Lily getting to play with ALL the animals. They have a petting zoo and we always take Lily. She could stay in there for hours just petting the animals.

This little goat kept escaping out of the pin. Kane was trying to get it close enough to lift him back over.

Lily on her first carnival ride all by herself. She loved every minute of it.

He had a great time. Can't wait till next year!!!

Wedding Shower

My sister is getting married in June. So, I was honored to hold our family wedding shower for her here at my house. Kane and Lily had gone out of town to see his family for he weekend, so I prepared for her wedding shower with some help from my good friend Isabel!!! Thanks again for ALL the help. Well, the wedding shower turned out wonderful!!! Here are some pictures from her shower...(picture overload)

The yummy food and cupcakes Isabel and I made!!

We played the Wedding Dress game using toilet paper. The guys had to make a wedding dress out of toilet paper. They could not receive any help from us ladies.

Uncle Kenny getting Aunt Patty in her wedding dress.

Uncle Gerald getting Aunt Vicky in her wedding dress.

Callie and Nathan

Even Ellie joined in on the fun!!!

Aidan and Lily making a wedding dress.

My sister and Leonard. Nice job Leonard.

Uncle Tom's and Aunt Cindy. Aunt Cindy's was made for a wedding in Hawaii.

Uncle Gerald and Aunt Vicky putting the final touches on.

Uncle Kenny and Aunt Patty is ready for the wedding!!

All of us ladies in our wedding dress.
Jennifer, Aunt Patty, Lily, my mom, Aunt Cindy, Aunt Vicky, Me, Callie and Ellie
Time to open gifts!!!

Kane and I with Jennifer and Leonard.

We had a great time. I can't wait till the wedding!!!

Easter Cookies

I wanted to post this early for all my blog readers out there...the three of them:) Especially for the ones who have kiddos!!! I found this Easter Cookie recipe on someone else's blog and I wanted to share it with you. Here is the link to the actual blog... Thank you Lauren at Modern Day Knights for sharing this recipe!!!


To be made the evening before Easter.

You need:

1 cup whole pecans
1 tsp. vinegar
3 egg whites
pinch salt
1 cup sugar
zipper baggie
wooden spoon
tape
Bible

Preheat oven to 300 degrees (this is important-don’t wait until you’re half done with the recipe!)

Place pecans in zipper baggie and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.

Explain that after Jesus was arrested, He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3.
John 19:1-3 (New International Version)
John 19
Jesus Sentenced to be Crucified
1Then Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. 2The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe 3and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face.


Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp. vinegar into mixing bowl. Explain that when Jesus was thirsty on the cross, He was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.
John 19:28-30 (New International Version)
The Death of Jesus
28Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "I am thirsty." 29A jar of wine vinegar was there, so they soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a stalk of the hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus' lips. 30When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Explain that Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.
John 10:10-11 (New International Version)
10The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
11"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep.


Sprinkle a little salt into each child’s hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. Explain that this represents the salty tears shed by Jesus’ followers, and the bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27.
Luke 23:27 (New International Version)
27A large number of people followed him, including women who mourned and wailed for him.

So far, the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 cup sugar. Explain that the sweetest part of the story is that Jesus died because He loves us. He wants us to know and belong to Him. Read Ps. 34:8 and John 3:16.
Psalm 34:8 (New International Version)
8 Taste and see that the LORD is good;
blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
John 3:16 (New International Version)
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.


Beat with a mixer on high speed for 12 to 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. Explain that the color white represents the purity in God’s eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isa. 1:18 and John 3:1-3.
Isaiah 1:18 (New International Version)
18 "Come now, let us reason together,"
says the LORD.
"Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
John 3:1-3 (New International Version)
John 3
Jesus Teaches Nicodemus
1Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." 3In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.[a]"
Footnotes:
a. John 3:3 Or born from above; also in verse 7


Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Explain that each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus’ body was laid. Read Matt. 27:57-60.
Matthew 27:57-60 (New International Version)
The Burial of Jesus
57As evening approached, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who had himself become a disciple of Jesus. 58Going to Pilate, he asked for Jesus' body, and Pilate ordered that it be given to him. 59Joseph took the body, wrapped it in a clean linen cloth, 60and placed it in his own new tomb that he had cut out of the rock. He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.

Put the cookie sheet in the oven, close the door and turn the oven OFF.

Give each child a piece of tape and seal the oven door. Explain that Jesus’ tomb was sealed. Read Matt. 27:65-66.
Matthew 27:65-66 (New International Version)
65"Take a guard," Pilate answered. "Go, make the tomb as secure as you know how." 66So they went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.

GO TO BED! Explain that they may feel sad to leave the cookies in the oven overnight. Jesus’ followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16:20 and 22.
John 16:20 (New International Version)
20I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.
John 16:22 (New International Version)
22So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.


On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On the first Easter, Jesus’ followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty. Read Matt. 28:1-9
Matthew 28
The Resurrection
1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.
5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."
8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him

He Is Risen!

We are going to start this tradition with Lily this year. It's important to us that she understands the meaning behind "Easter" and just not the candy and bunnies!!! The candy and bunnies is the fun part, but we need to remember that Why we celebrate Easter!!!

Happy Easter to all my friends and family!!! Enjoy this recipe and I hope it becomes a tradition in your family as well!!! Thanks again to Lauren at Modern Day Knights!!!

GTKY Sunday!!!

This is my first Getting to Know You. I thought it would be fun to join Keely and her peeps in Getting to know YOU. If you want to join along too then click here!

The Questions Are:

1. What's something you've eaten and liked, but didn't think you would? Lately its been guacamole. But it has to be fresh!!! I tried it at my SIL house and feel in LOVE with it!!!

2. Plastic surgery..yay or nay? Actually I had a breast reduction in Dec 2009. The best thing I have ever done!!! I LOVE the new girls and would do it again in a heart beat!!! I would never take it to an extreme, but of course I would do a little nip tuck here and there:)

3. 2 things you love about spring are.....? Wearing dresses and flip flops. Now that I have smaller girls I can wear cute little dresses!!!

4. When is the last time you went on a picnic? Sad to report that I haven't been on a picnic in a VERY LONG time...so long I don't remember when!!! I need to change that and take my daughter on a picnic!!!

5. what's your favorite app? Facebook and Weight Watchers!!!

6. who does the grocery shopping in your house?We both do the grocery shopping...we always do it together!!!

7. would you rather take a spin class or zumba? Considering I have NO rhythm...I would do a spin class in a heart beat!!

8. how often do you go out to dinner? Once a week...usually on Sundays after church!!

Now go link up!!! It was fun and easy to do!!!

How I am Feeling Right NOW

I have really been tested this past week on how I handle things. As everyone knows Kane is laid off and has been since November. Well, we had hopes that things were working out. Long story short, he takes the test for Conroe Police Department, finds out he is 11 out of over 200 on the hiring list. Well, we find out from someone else, who found out from someone else that they are only hiring 5. Of course I get discouraged, I go through all the motions of losing faith in everything we have done and thinking we made the worst decision in our life. I then have to overcome a family situation. I personally have had the worst three years of my life. I went through alot of ups and downs, more downs then ups. I almost lost the best thing that has ever happened to me...my husband. I have a good friend, Beth, that told me we needed to go back to church. I am so glad she did. I have been able to work on my relationship with my friends, my husband, my family, and most of all with him. But...this past week has really tested my faith in HIM!!! I do not want to GIVE UP, I do not want to LOSE FAITH, I do not want to think he would have given us this choice if it was NOT the RIGHT one!! I have heard this song at least five times since Tuesday. It has helped me to remember even though there are things that are DRIVING ME CRAZY RIGHT NOW because I can not control it, he does know exactly what he is doing and I have to have FAITH that things will work out. One way or another, everything will work out!!!

Lily's 3rd Birthday

I can't believe my baby girl is 3 years old!!! It is crazy to know that in 2 years she will be going to kindergarten:( Well this year we decide not to do a big family birthday party. Well, Lily ended up with 3 birthday celebrations!!!

Her birthday started off at 6:30 in the morning. We got Lily the dollhouse she has been asking for. I had to go to work that day, so we didn't want to make her wait till I got home from work to let her open her presents. Therefore, we woke her up at 6:30 to open presents.

She was so happy to finally get her dollhouse!!!

That evening we went to Shogun for dinner!! They gave her a pineapple boat for her birthday. She loved it:)

Saturday night we went to BJ's restaurant with some friends and family for her 2nd birthday celebration. Here she is dressed up like a princess for her princess dinner. My mom, her nana, came into town, along with her Aunt Wendy, Warren, and Uncle Bruce.
Lily with her princess birthday cake!!!

Isabel and Jon also joined us for dinner that night. Lily's just adores Isabel and Jon. My friend from work Linda brought her daughter Valeria to Lily's princess dinner!!

Lily's friend Valeria.

Lily's 3rd birthday celebration was at her Aunt Wendy's house. Kane's side of the family came to that birthday celebration.

Lily getting ready to open her presents.

Lily with her princess cake that Kane's mom made.

Lastly, ALL the kiddos on Kane's side of the family.

Colten, Lily, Cody, Avery, Ryder

I think this had to be Lily's best birthday yet. She was actually counting the days down. Each day she would wake up and ask, "Is it my birthday yet?" Not sure what I am going to do next year to top this one. I may keep it low key again. I will however, go all out for her 5th birthday. To me that is a HUGE milestone. It's a whole new chapter in my little baby girl's life!!!

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate Lily's birthday!!!

What I MAKE!!!