what we are reading

I just finished reading  The Help and loved it!  My friend Ellie and I went to the movie which was very good but as always the book was better than the movie.  Wow it makes me think about a lot of things.  I am young enough that I have never seen separate bathrooms and drinking fountains for blacks and whites.  I admired Skeeters character and the bravery that was displayed by all the women who told their stories.  Did you read The Help?  What did you think?
The kids and I have been reading Shel Silverstein Where the Sidewalk Ends and we have been giggling like crazy.  We are also reading some Eye Witness books from the library about Mammals and Butterflies.  What have you been reading with your kids lately?

Wedding part 1

Bill's daughter Alexandra married Scott Schuler on August 20th so we went to Indiana for the festivities.  Bill's oldest daughter Laura and her friends helped with the decorations and the reception (at Laura's house)
Simple but very pretty decorations at the church

(flowers were all from friend's yards)

Marcus, Bill, Ryder and Christopher

(Bill's big boys and grandson)

Christopher and his girlfriend Lindsey

Bill and Griffin

Both Lindsey's, aren't they cute!

(Marcus' wife and Christopher's girlfriend)

All the girls, plus Ryder

the dresses were a dark blue- my pictures did not turn out the greatest in the church

Alex and Laura (Bill's big girls)

Alex and Bill

The wedding was beautiful (I actually missed most of it because I had to take Griffin out but what I saw was lovely)

I will share reception pictures soon.

Hurricane Irene Update

Category 1 when it hit the shores of NC, we are getting super high winds and our yard is a mess with limbs and leaves but so far that is all the damage.  We are so thankful.  Things are not nearly as bad as they prepared for so we are blessed!

Yes, hurricane Irene is on her way.  Lots of evacuations and preparations under way.  Right now it looks like it will be a category 4 hurricane.  We should be fine, just wind and rain.  One of my best friends lives on the coast so I am hoping their home is safe.  We may have some company this weekend.  Pray for those preparing that they get out safely. 

IWU and Memory Lane

We were in Indiana last weekend and I took the kids to visit IWU, the university I attended for 4 years.  It was a walk down memory lane yet so much has changed since I left 9 years ago (more than 9 new buildings).

Jackson Library -I believe this was finished before I graduated but I remember studying in the old library

Burns Science Hall- I spent SO MUCH time here since I was a biology major

Shatford House is an all freshman dorm except for the resident director and resident assistants.  I actually lived here two years because my sophomore year I was the resident chaplain.  Being a Shatford sister was an honor and we had so much fun.

The Williams Prayer Chapel which was finished my last year of school and was donated to the school by Wilbur and Ardelia Williams.  I had Dr. Williams for Old Testament and he was an amazing teacher and mentor.  Professor Ardelia created all of the stain glass windows.

I have a picture of myself in front of the chapel when I graduated but I do not remember spending any time in the chapel, I am not sure if this is because it wasn't done until the end of my fourth year or if it was because I lived on the other side of campus and was busy with school and work and did not make time to stop and visit.

The IWU campus is amazing and always immaculate.  These hanging baskets are so huge and beautiful.

Inside the Student center- which was expanded right about the time I was graduating

coffee bar and fire place

new area outside the renovated Wild Cat Express

student center mall, complete with theatre, art gallery and restaurants- pizza, subs

hammick outside dorms- we had so much fun

Sydney was pretending it was a cacoon and then she hatched into a butterfly and flew around the yard

bells on outside of new Chapel Auditorium

chapel- this is new since I graduated, we used to have chapel in the Phillippe Performing Arts Center (picture below) three days a week

I lived in one of these apartments my senior year- this is where I was on 9/11 getting ready for chapel

I lived in one other dorm that I did not get a picture of this trip.  I had one stroller and the kids were taking turns walking and they were tired so we needed to end the visit.  IWU was a wonderful experience, both in terms of my education and also my emotional and spiritual growth. 

Sydney enjoyed seeing where mommy went to school for undergrad and Griffin had fun running around.

Good Will finds

We took some clothes to Good Will a few weeks ago to donate and then we found a few deals.

Sydney still loves skirts and I love skirts or pants that can go with any top. 

This jean skirt was a 6T but did not fall off her hips so we bought it for 1.75

We also found 2 pairs of 2T jeans for Griffin 1.75 each.  One pair had an adjustable waist so they will stay up and the other pair fit nicely.

Frog and rainbow pjs for Syd for 2.50- small stain on top but I think I can get it out

I plan to go back to Good Will and shop more when then kids are not with me because they were running all over and it was hard to sort through the clothes.

Sydney and I need to have another fashion show and try on all the pants from last year to see if any of them will work for this fall.

Have you found any deals lately?

Theme Song

This is my theme song lately.  I know a few different people have recorded it including Jeremy Camp and also Fernando Ortega.  I want to continue to focus on what truly matters and I know that this world and all it troubles are so brief in the scheme of eternity.  Here are the lyrics to "Give Me Jesus"

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise

In the morning, when I rise, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world,

But give me Jesus

When I am alone

When I am alone

When I am alone, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world,

But give me Jesus

When I come to die

When I come to die

When I come to die, give me Jesus

Give me Jesus,

Give me Jesus,

You can have all this world,

You can have all this world,

You can have all this world,

But give me Jesus

inspiring

"....there's the real danger of overlooking a very important day...today... For this is the place and time for living.  Let us live each day abundantly and beautifully while it is here. "  Esther Baldin York

Happy Birthday Micheal!

Just looking at these pictures brings tears to my eyes!  We were so excited to meet you and spend time with you.   We knew you were a very special boy then and we know it more now.

We love you so much.  Wish we lived next door so we could see you all the time.  Aunt Meghan, Uncle Bill and your wild cousins love you so much.  Happy Birthday!

Key Lime Pie

I just love key lime pie and I was so happy when I came across this simple but delicious recipe.

1 (8oz) container whipped topping
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
1 (9 inch) prepared graham cracker pie crust

finely grated lime zest for sprinkling

In a medium bowl mix condensed milk, whipped topping and lime juice until smooth.  Spoon mixture into pie crust, sprinkle with lime zest.  Cover (I use the pie crust cover and put in freezer until firm (30 minutes or so).  Enjoy!  I cannot remember where I found this recipe but it is so yummy, light and fresh. 

Catapillar Update

Before you get to excited let me say this is a sad update.  We had a total of three caterpillars and we never had a cocoon or a butterfly.  Two of the caterpillars died rather quickly after bringing them home and the lady who supplied them to the school was happy to replace them.  We thought well this is it third times a charm, right?  Well we fed our caterpillar and it grew bigger and bigger and every time we saw it on the top of the container we were so excited.  We kept thinking any day now it is going to make its cocoon.  Nope it died.  So instead of third times a charm, its three strikes and your out.  No more caterpillars, at least not this season.  

Griffin 22 months

Wow, our little man is two months away from his second birthday!  I need to think about party plans and start making invitations.  At 22 months Griffin weighs in around 25 pounds and is on the short side (like his momma).  He is adorable!  He is talking up a storm.  He uses 3-4 word sentences and will just about repeat any word you ask him to.  He has over 150 words that he says all the time.  I have a few favorites.  I love the way he says Sydney and thunder (th sounds like an f).  He likes a show called Chugginton and says it very clearly.  Of course when he says "I love you" my heart melts.  He sings to himself sometimes and in the car to the VBS CD.  He loves music and has some serious dance moves.  He adores his big sister and copies everything she does.  If Sydney is sitting at the table doing crafts or coloring he wants to be right there with her.  He would live outside (despite the heat) if I would let him.  He had his first little haircut (trim really) in July and he still has plenty of curl.  People are always commenting on how cute his hair is and that they would love to have his natural highlights.  He has the biggest appetite and remains a wondeful eater.  He eats breakfast at home and often is given two plates at school (because they say he is so hungry).  He is constantly climbing, jumping, throwing and getting into mischief!  He is still in his crib because this is the only thing he has not climbed.  We are all so in love with him. 

A New Favorite

We have a new favorite book at our house.  We were introduced to this book at vaction Bible school and we love it.  The Rhyme Storybook Bible is wonderful.  The stories are short enough but still give the detail and truth.  My kids love that it rhymes.  We usually read a few stories each night and we have almost read the whole book.  The other night we read Daniel and the lions and when the story was over Sydney told me that I left part of the story out.  I explained that I read every page.  She told me that the book left out the part where the people who had accused Daniel of praying to God and not to the king were thrown in with the lions.  So we got our Bible out and read the entire story in the Bible and sure enough she remembered correctly.  Her teacher has read it to her before and she remembered!  So even though a few things are left out we love the book.  Do you have any favorites that you care to share about?

Sydney's sleepover

Recently Sydney was invited to stay the night at her friend Hannah's house.  We thought she would be okay because she has spent the night at another friend's house and did not have any problems.  I took her over on a Friday night and stayed for a while.  Her and Hannah kept talking about how they were going to stay up all night!  After I came home and put Griffin to bed Bill and I called to check on her and say "goodnight" and she was fine.  Her and Hannah slept under the kitchen table (pulled into the living room) that was made into a tent.  They both had their sleeping bags and they stayed up very late.  They had goldfish, popcorn and teddy grahams and watched Strawberry Shortcake and Barbie Princess.  They did not stay up all night but they did make it to midnight!  When I went to pick her up at 11 the next morning they were still playing and having fun.  We missed having her at home but this is just the beginning of sleepovers and play dates.  Sorry no pictures. 

No more highchair

Griffin is no longer sitting in a highchair!  He was constantly standing up and we were so afraid he would tip it over so we put it up.  He is now sitting in a booster seat (yes it is pink because it was Sydney's) and he does great.  He seems so big sitting up at the table with the rest of the family.  He is 22 months today!

Homemade Granola

I was inspired by Lisa's recipe to make some of my own granola.  It is so yummy!  I made a few changes because I did not have all the ingredients on hand. 

mix all dry ingredients:


4 cups rolled oats (old fashioned)
1 cup wheat germ
1 cup raisin bran{crushed}
1 cup walnuts (chopped)
1/2 cup pecans (chopped)



for the glaze, mix the following ingredients in a sauce pan over low heat until smooth
1 cups splenda
1/4 cup agave nectar (I used honey)
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
1/2 stick butter ( I used a bit less)

salt to taste
cinnamon to taste

pour sauce over dry ingredients and mix well. sprinkle granola onto baking sheet and bake at 350* for 10-15 minutes or until golden. serve with yogurt and fresh berries.

Pesto

I have tons of basil in my garden so I decided to make some pesto.

2 cups packed basil leaves
1 cup toasted walnuts (or pine nuts)
1 cup olive oil
3 gloves of garlic
1 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese

Put basil, garlic and nuts in food processor, as you process drizzle in olive oil.  You can eat it like this or add cheese now.  If you plan to freeze do so before you add cheese.  Yummy on pasta and also to spread on toasted french bread.  Have you even made pesto?

Happy 9th Anniversary to Us!

Bill and I are celebrating our 9th wedding anniversary.  We initially planned a beach trip but with money being tight we decided to stay home and enjoy 2 days together after dropping the kids at daycare. 

Monday we headed to Greensboro and ran a few errands and then had pizza at Brixx!

All I can say is yummy!

Then we headed to the movie to catch a matinee, Crazy Stupid Love, which was hilarious!
I think we both laughed and cried.

Home to relax a bit and prep dinner

Then we picked up our kids and came home for dinner and then headed out to DiLishi for frozen yogurt.

Tuesday after dropping the kids off we went for a long walk around the neighborhood.  Bill asked me if I wanted to push a stroller just because we are both usually pushing one.  It felt good to walk and hold hands and not have to stop because someone dropped a flip flop.  (We love walks with our kids but going by ourselves is a rare treat)

Then we headed to the pool.  We swam, I read, Bill napped and we had lunch.  We have enjoyed our two day celebration.

Cheers to more years with my best bud by my side.