Survivor Fever

I’m gitty with excitement. Today is the premier of my favorite reality series; Survivor: Gabon - Earth's Last Eden. So where on earth is Gabon? Learn more here.

It's hard to believe that I have been watching Survivor for a whopping seventeen seasons. I remember the first season it aired I thought it was THE dumbest TV show ever made. Around the 5th or 6th episode however I was hooked and I have been ever since. I just want to know, where do they find these people…seriously? Wouldn’t it be neat if someone we know personally, or just a normal person was a contestant this season? The above website indicated the 18 contestants competing this fall include an Olympic gold medalist, a Gilmore Girls actress, and a professional video game champion. Can’t wait to see the freak show tonight so don’t you dare call me at 7:00. Don’t even think about. I won’t answer, I won’t I won’t I won’t!

I'll be signing up for Survivor Anonymous first thing tomorrow morning.

Parenting Toolbox

Tonight is the last class of a six week parenting course I've been taking at the church we attend. It's been good. I've learned a lot about my personal parenting style. But let me just say I will be so happy to have one less "thing to do" on my to do list. The girls won't be so thrilled since they have been hangin' out with many of the oh so very kind family members who watch them for us while I am in class.
Well, I'm working on getting some County Fair pictures posted but lately my eyelids just won't stay open too long in the evenings so be patient.
If you are interested in taking the parenting toolbox course, I recommend you click here today. I think the class fills up quickly!
Love one another,

Pumpkin Bars

Fall is one of my favorite seasons. It seems like life takes a tiny breather before the whirlwind of the holidays. A favorite fall memory is making these yummy Pumpkin Bars with my mom and then watching Anne of Green Gables. Neither of which I am doing today but it sure would be nice! Enjoy the recipe!

INGREDIENTS
4 eggs
1 ⅔ c. sugar
1 c. vegetable oil
1 (16 oz) can pumpkin
2 c. flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Icing
1 (3oz) pkg. cream cheese, softened
2 c. confectioners’ sugar
¼ c butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla
1-2 Tbs. milk
DIRECTIONS:
1. Heat the oven to 350°.
2. In a mixing bowl beat eggs, sugar, oil and pumpkin.
3. Combine flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt; gradually add to pumpkin mixture and mix well.
4. Pour into an ungreased 13x9 or 15x10 baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
5. Cool completely.
6. To make icing, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, butter and vanilla in a small bowl.
7. Add enough mild to achieve desired consistency.
8. Spread over bars.
Makes 2 dozen

Happy Fall Y'all!

NASCART Bergamini Series Mini 300

Racecart enthusiasts braved the heat on this sunny September day to catch a glimpse of the NASCART (National Association for Silly Chinobillies of America Racing Toys) Bergamini Series Mini 300 at Toy Motor Speedway in Hickville. The speedway is sporting some fancy sidewalk chalk this season, let's hope these racers big and small can handle this complex track. They'll really need to know how to handle their carts!

Driver #2 Little Miss Lugnut verifies the track while her cart is getting some last minute tuning from pit manager Guido the Lamb.

Men step aside! Women like the "fast and furious" too! Just look at these little gals taunting Driver #1 Big Daddy. He better be ready to put the pedal to the metal.

Racecart drives, start your engines!

And their off!

It would appear that Driver #3 Little Miss Octane is taking an early lead as they approach turn one.

Little Miss Octane is heading into the chute...

Yup, Big Daddy's pit crew is on pins and needles...

Ooooweee the drivers are definitely trading paint today. Now let's just play nice ladies and Big Daddy!

Little Miss Lugnut takes the lead, the crowd goes wild!

But Little Miss Lugnut takes a break from burning rubber for some high-fives during the NASCART Bergamini Series Mini 300. It's nice to know that these speed demon's aren't too hasty to "race" past their admirers.

Those carts … err blobs … sure are cruising!

The suspense is killing me!

Who will take it all?

I'm getting dizzy...

Little Miss Octane is cruisin' to victory lane...

I could hear Bid Daddy teaching his future NASCART devotees the "lingo" that went something like this..."The car checked out fine in the dyno, but it might not make any difference with the bear grease on the track. Throw in some dirty air, and all you can do is hope the scuffs and 200 mph tape will help the machine run flat-out.''

Mommy rolling her eyes to Big Daddy after the race: Lord have mercy, don't you think we should at least dress the child in more than a purse on her arm before her next big race?

Happy Monday everybody!

Random Acts Of Kindness

Today we took the girls to the county fair. Luckily we got out of the house fairly early so we didn't have to fight half the county for a parking spot or get pushed around at the petting zoo or wait longer than 30 seconds for the hay ride to take us back to the entrance. The girls enjoyed looking at the animal exhibits but they had a blast riding the carousel and the jeep ride. I'll try to post more pictures later as I am currently transferring 206 photos (no joke) from my camera to my computer. After we left the fair we treated the girls to lunch at Chili's. We are in the beginning stages of potty training and the girls think public restrooms are a novelty. As the mother of twin girls I am the lucky one who gets to take each child to the restroom and back before I get to eat only to get half way through lunch and hear "mamma go to bafroom". But that's OK, I know this is a season we all must endure. Anyway, we finally finished our lunch, and made literally 6 trips to the "bafroom" before we began wondering why our waitress had not brought us our bill yet. When we finally flagged her down she said, "oh someone picked up your tab for you and they want to remain anonymous". Really? Who? Are they still here? Was it someone we know? The waitress said the couple had already left but pointed to the table where they sat. She said they kept talking about our twins. Matt and I could hardly remember what the couple looked like and we were shocked at the kind gesture and were reminded of Christ's words in Matthew 6: 1-4 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. ... But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." I just love little surprises and I love blessings! Maybe they felt sorry for me going back and forth 10, 686 times oops I mean 6 times to the bathroom with the girls. Either way, I thank God for this random act of righteousness and for the coulples kindness. I can't wait to return the kindness to some unsuspecting soul in the near future.
Love one another,

Two years ago today...

Two years ago today we met an angel named Krista. It is because of Krista that our life and our family is complete. This precious evening was part of God’s plan that He was unfolding before our very eyes. A plan to bring people together forever in love and faith. Krista is such a beautiful young woman inside and out. She is the little sister I never had but always wanted. I’m ever so thankful for her. We continue to keep in touch and we definitely continue to pray for one another. I will always cherish the day we met an angel named Krista.
Love one another,

Confessions

Nope, I haven't fallen off the face of the earth, no my fingers aren't broken; I've just been busy with life and chasing around our precious girls. They are so stinkin' funny and they keep me on my toes. I cherish this time I have with them even though we have some rough days too. The Lord throws those tough times in to keep us humble and on our knees! To be truthful I've been trying to "fast" from the computer for a few days and get some priorities back in order. I've been having a nagging feeling that something in my life isn't quite right. I've been having problems with self-image and things like keeping my house clean -and wondered why is that? The Lord convicted me of spending too much time in front of the computer. So I promised myself I wouldn't get any "screen time" until after all my work is done for the day (there were a few days that I just didn't get it all done before bed).

Many of you are in the same season of life that I am – busy: Children to teach, meals to cook, laundry to keep up with, and a house to up-keep. So maybe we should all ask ourselves; do we really have time to be chasing after trivial things to fulfill the flesh? Not really. Let us get our work done first, and let us do a great job in our tasks, and to always joy in the Lord that we have a family to take care of, and a home to keep.
In the meantime, if you were wondering why I haven't responded to emails, answered the phone, posted on the blog, you'll know why.
More thoughts on this later…until then, have a super weekend!

Lotsa Love,



Oh yeah! A post just wouldn't be a post without a picture right?
The girls are dreaming of another camping trip in the "bus". Not sure why they insist on calling the camp trailer a bus but it really is cute!

Finally All about me

Some of you might be wondering what ever happend to our "all about me" person we were making last week. Well, we finally got around to finishing the project last night before dinner. The girls were a little grumpy so not too many smiles in the following pics but I think the project turned out kinda cute. The girls like showing off their crafts so these might be around for a while.

Have a great Monday!

Garage Sales are evil

I was hoping to be better about blogging this week but a certain someone forgot about a yard sale she planned with her mom-in-law and sister-in-law. Needless to say I have been busy gathering stuff we don't use anymore. I just finished organizing, hanging and pricing everything. Unfortunately you will have to wait to see "the rest of Me" project the girls are working on. We did make the hands and feet yesterday but didn't get to finish the project today like I had hoped. I will try to get them to finish it tonight but you just never know. I did make a quite yummy brisket for dinner however. It smells so great. I plan on tweaking the recipe a bit to suit our taste and then I will post if for all you meat lovers out there. Since a post isn't a post without a picture here is a parting shot of my girl reading in her tent a few mornings ago.

All in a day's work

ALL ABOUT ME WEEK

Our art project yesterday was a paper plate face. The face is supposed to resemble the arteest who created the masterpiece.

We went to Alco to pick out our yarn for the hair. The girls picked out their own colors. And they got to color their own eyes, nose and mouth.

Abby is gluing her "hair" on the plate.

Art project time about the only time we have total silence in the house.

Sheer bliss I tell you...

She is saving the one under her chin for later.

Today we will trace our feet and hands, then tomorrow we will assemble the "This is me" project. I betcha can't wait to see...

Friday Funnies...A day late

The world according to Abby & Bree

Mommy: What is your favorite color?

Abby: "urange" Orange

Bree: "burple" Purple

Mommy: What do you want to do today?

Abby: color

Bree: go bye bye

Mommy: Who is your favorite person?

Abby: Aunt Casty (Cathy)

Bree: Aunt Casty (Cathy)

Mommy: Are you afraid of anything?

Abby: Bees

Bree: Monsters

Mommy: Who protects you from the monsters Bree?

Bree: "Desus" Jesus and Daddy

Mommy: Good answer

Mommy: How old are you?

Abby: "doo" two (as she holds up 5 fingers)

Bree: "doo-doo" two too!

Holy Bling Batman!

My sweetie peachy gave me quite a surprise last night when he got home. But let me first set the stage. It was a somewhat typical day at home with the girls. We played, we cleaned, we learned a few things, I chased them, they played with every single toy they own, I said no A LOT (they are 2 remember?)! I had just given the girls a bath when Matt called at 7:50 PM and I was done in. When I answered the phone I said in the most pathetic and pitiful voice I could muster "Please tell me you are coming home..." *whine, whine, whine. The poor guy had just put in a 13-hour day and I WHINE?!?!?!? What is wrong with me? When he arrived home the girls were excited to see him as usual and I was just going about the business of getting the house picked up and the girls ready for bed. Matt handed me a little box and said "maybe this will make you day a little better." I opened the box to find the most beautiful ring I have ever seen, aside from my wedding ring of course. I have loved this style for many years and I have often teased Matt about getting one for our 25th anniversary. Maybe by then we could afford such a luxury. But no, this gift came out of nowhere and he had this ring made especially for me. It's not my birthday, not our anniversary, not the obligatory Valentines Day. Just an ordinary day being married to the love of my life and best friend. The one who is so kind, and patient. The one who loves me even when I whine on the phone, when I have gained a few extra pounds or when dinner is a total bomb. Yeah, I am blessed!

Well hello, beautiful. Where have you been all my life?

Why, yes I think I shall wear you proudly upon my wrinkly, age-spotted hand.

He had the girls birthstones added around my birthstone. The ring is just so pretty! I suppose you can say that it is also a motivator to be a better wife and mother too. I'll get started on that right after staring at my pretty ring a bit longer.

Happy Friday y'all