A special Sunday night date

After our afternoon potluck and service, we came home to relax for awhile.  Then instead of watching the Superbowl...we went to the Ball Brothers concert and out to Culvers.

The kiddos keep us entertained when we go out!  It is fun to watch them take care of their own drinks, napkin and ketchup runs, eating their own meals, and getting their own ice cream.

Gives us time to savor a shared treat too!

I sit back and watch this family of ours...where has the time gone?  They keep growing...and getting goofier by the week!  How smart is it really to eat a heaping glob of frozen custard?  He had "throat freeze and brain freeze" all at the same time!  We didn't disturb anyone with our laughter...we were the only ones in the diningroom on Superbowl night. 

On Saturday night...

a supper gathering with family. 

On Saturday morning...

We got the cheerleaders on our court this week!

Coach quote of the day..."If you want passes, you have to give passes!"

"Get your hands up!"

I'd love to know what each one is thinking right at this moment.

Potluck planning...

a rainbow cake and chicken bruschetta bake...sounds good to me!

Valentine fun

I needed stamps...look what hit the post office yesterday!

Sweet-tart hearts

Ready to make some special cards to send in the mail.  I saw a cute idea for little kiddos...using a tp tube squeezed into a heart shape...dipped in paint...thought it would make a good background for our stamping, stickering, and gluing!

Fun with chocolate!

Another festive treat idea from pinterest...

a box of sourdough pretzel knots and a bag of pretzel rods from the dollar store

and leftover Christmas sprinkles!

Cute nests...for love birds...awwww!

Happy Friday.

It's on the calendar.

It's been two years since Miss Alisa first started hurting.  Every once in awhile I go back and read about the month that we are presently in...a year ago...and sometimes farther back. 

My how everyone has grown and changed!

 This week, I talked with Dr. Frim's office to set up the next MRI scan.  We are on the books for April 26 (another six month mark) with specific instructions for the children's hospital side of things!  We continue to see good health and strength in Alisa as she functions each day.  I had not mentioned anything for a long time, and figured I would since it was fresh on my mind. 

There are still reminders of those days...for her and for us. 

Today, I can't help but think of the song I posted on the side.  I remember thanking God for specifics things each day as we went through that storm.  He always knows just what we need and how it will bring glory to Himself.  I need to be reminded of that periodically!

God was good in that big storm.  He will continue to be good in each wave that crashes and the wind that howls.  Today, I am thankful that He is good in the calm too! 

"We've got so much to thank Him for..."

I've known about it for awhile...

and I visit the site occasionally.  Lately, I have been finding great food recipes and ideas for which my family is giving me the thumbs up.  Yes, it is that pinterest site.  It is easy to get lost in it and waste a lot of time.  I physically have to limit my time on it!  Since I am responsible for breakfast, lunch, supper, and snacks...I just really wanted some different ideas...and I seem to hit the jackpot on pinterest lately.

For lunch today...crescent rolls, ham, and cheese baked up fresh.  YUM!

The pinterest idea showed pepperoni and half of a string cheese rolled up...then dip in sauce.  I added string cheese and more crescent rolls to the grocery list!

Another idea...semi-healthy...I guess...

fruit salsa and cinnamon chips!

YUM!  I did not add sugar or jam or honey...just the fruit that we had in the house.

Chopped up strawberries, grated an apple, cut up grapes, and pulled apart manadarin orange segments...some of that juice and lemon juice.  I took the partial bag of chips and lightly sprayed cooking oil on them then sprinkled them with cinnamon sugar and baked for a few minutes.

Self control is still needed with this!  And oh the varieties of flavors depending on what fruits you have in the house...fresh, frozen, or canned!

So...if you must know...yes, I do pinterest...but only for ideas!

One sock, pink socks, heart socks...

knee socks...ankle socks...clearance socks!  If I hear anymore fussing about not being able to find socks, or how the socks don't feel good, or how all the socks are in the dirty clothes...I may just lose it!  We hit the jackpot at Target yesterday and used Christmas gift cards for some much needed stuff!

Valentine colors

For Mom...I used one of the metal planters from December decor for this arrangement.  A block of styrofoam holds the ivy bushes and hydrangeas in place...I never glue anything...so I can mix and match!

A happy, sleepy family ate a yummy breakfast!

CINNAMON ROLL WAFFLES

recipe from: Recipe Girl found on pinterest

WAFFLES:

1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 Tablespoons granulated white sugar

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 large eggs

2 cups buttermilk

1/4 cup canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract


CINNAMON TOPPING:

1/2 cup butter, melted

3/4 cup brown sugar, packed

1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

CREAM CHEESE TOPPING:  (I used my usual powdered sugar drizzle frosting that I use for our cinnamon rolls...no butter or cream cheese...and a 1/2 tsp of almond flavoring.)

4 Tablespoons butter

2 ounces cream cheese

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1. Prepare waffles.  (This recipe or a recipe of your choice!  I added 1 tsp of cinnamon to the batter!)
2. Stir just until moistened; batter will be slightly lumpy.
3. Preheat a waffle iron and spray with nonstick spray. Pour batter into waffle iron grid and close the lid. Bake until waffles are completely done- follow your waffle iron's instructions. Use a fork to remove finished waffles. Repeat with remaining batter. Keep waffles warm until ready to serve (a 200 degree oven is perfect).
4. Prepare cinnamon topping: In a medium bowl, mix butter, brown sugar and cinnamon.
5. Prepare cream cheese topping: In a medium, microwave-safe bowl- heat butter and cream cheese for 30 to 60 seconds; just until melted. Stir together until smooth; whisk in powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
6. When ready to serve, place waffle on plate, drizzle cinnamon topping, then drizzle cream cheese topping. Use as much or as little as you'd like. Serve immediately.

Oh...my!  For all my friends that say they can't bake...you must make these!  Soooo easy and much faster than the whole cinnamon roll process!!!  I doubled the batter recipe...and will make these again in the next day or two...they have to be freshly made waffles.  A fun weekend dessert...add some cooked apples.

Happy Groundhog Day!

February 1st already...but it feels like April

"Thank you, Ashlynn, for helping with the change-over!" I said. "Oh, that's okay, Mom, as long as it isn't our room, I like helping!  It's fun!" she replied.

And that is one of the reasons I love talking with our children...they feel completely at ease to tell me how it is with them...and sometimes with me!  A job I dread...putting away the snowmen, lights, and rest of winter decorations...was made easier by my three helpers.  Alisa said it would make it easier if we were listening to Christmas music...Teddy was ready to strangle her with the snowman garland.  We celebrated the first day of February with new heartsy pencils and peanut M&Ms in the candy dish.  The house looks a little bare without the twinkly lights and pine garlands...but a little brighter with the sunshine and open windows to air it out.  50s yesterday, 40s today...it feels like spring!