Growing up so fast ..... :-(

Kenzie's Pioneer Girls group had a father/daughter dinner/dance recently.  This was a formal occasion, with the rather catchy name of "The Snow Ball"!  Here's my lovely lady, growing up so quickly.....

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So crafty!

More and more, Kenzie is interested in things she can do with her hands -- projects like crochet, knitting, drawing, sewing, baking..... and the latest is weaving.  We bought her a rigid heddle loom for Christmas, and she is absolutely having a blast with it.  Learning how to warp the loom the first time was a bit of a challenge, but she's now able to do it on her own (except when extra hands are needed to provide tension).  Here are pictures from her first project:

She did a great job, didn't she?  And she just completed a much smaller second project yesterday.  She found on YouTube that there are tons of videos that show how to make different types of weaving patterns, so she decided to make a sampler!  This kid's got a lot of creativity, that's for sure!

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Bread baking success!

Kenzie and I are taking an on-line bread baking class.  Today was Kenzie's first attempt at making bread; she made a delicious honey-oatmeal bread.

 Mixing the dough.....

 ......and more mixing.

 Kneading the dough.

 Dough is kneaded, rolled into a ball, and ready for the first rise.

 After rising, Kenzie rolled it into a loaf shape....

 placed it in the pan, and allowed it to rise a second time.

 After the 2nd rise, look how big it  was!  Kenzie made slits on the top of the loaf, brushed it with egg white and sprinkled rolled oats on top.

 After baking, here was the final (delicious) product!!

And here's the very proud baker!  Great job, Kenzie!

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Babies, babies, babies!

It has been quite a while since I last posted, and in between Kenzie's orchestra concert, holiday parties, shopping, guests, Christmas, New Year's and so much more, we had an EXPLOSION of babies!!  Here's my list for the last few weeks.... try to imagine fitting in a little bit of sleep around these babies, plus all the holiday activities, and you'll understand why I had NO time to write!

12/3 -- baby girl, family's first baby, born at the birth center
12/8 -- baby girl, family's fourth baby, born at home
12/16 -- baby girl, family's third baby, born at home
12/20 -- baby girl, family's second baby, born at birth center
12/22 -- baby boy, family's fourth baby, born at home
12/26 -- baby boy, family's first baby, born at home
12/30 -- baby girl, family's fourth baby, born at home
1/5 -- baby girl, family's first baby, transfer to hospital from birth center for non-progressing labor

So, eight babies in thirty-three days, and those are just the births I attended; my partners did others as well!!  It's a busy few weeks, with no sign of stopping soon.  One of my partners did a birth late last night, my other partner did one this AM. 

On top of everything, I'm organizing a dinner at a restaurant next week for hubby's 60th birthday.  It's not EXACTLY a surprise; he knows it's happening.  The surprise is -- he doesn't know who's coming!  My parents are flying in from Florida, our daughter is flying in from Texas..... He will be VERY surprised!  (And I can write about this, because he NEVER reads this blog -- yippee!!)

So -- if you don't hear from me again soon, it's because I'm either at a birth or busy planning/scheming/partying!

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It is more blessed to give......

Why is it so easy to forget that we are always blessed when we bless others? I'm so incredibly blessed by God to have so much more than I need...

I had to mail an overnight package today, and happened to have a $50 bill burning a hole in my wallet. I felt God urging me to give something today; I made myself (and God) a promise that after I mailed the letter, I'd give the remainder to the first needy person I saw. 

I have to admit, I did have a bit of a mental struggle.  'God, this package is only going to cost about $15 to mail; you really want me to give $35 to a complete stranger?'  But the feeling that I should do so was strong and compelling, and I made up my mind that I would follow God's cue, regardless.

When I came out of the post office, standing on the sidewalk outside the door was a young Indian man with his small son (maybe 4 years old), homeless and looking for help. Were they there when I went in?  I don't know.... I was so wrapped up in the Christmas rush, maybe I didn't see them -- or maybe them being there right then, at that moment in time when I left the post office, was MY small Christmas miracle.  I stopped and spoke with them, told the man of my promise, gave him the money, and also put all the loose coins in my wallet in the little boy's pocket. I got huge hugs and excited thank you's, and I walked across the parking lot trying not to cry. 

 My wallet is now empty, but my heart is full and overflowing. God, help me remember to always be grateful for all my blessings .....

Luke 6:38 -- Truly, it is more blessed to give than to receive.

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Mixed messages

As I sat at the ATM last evening, I had the opportunity to read the signs posted on either side of the screen. To the left of the ATM's screen was a large green sign that entitled "Safety Information". One of the safety tips (in case you can't read the fuzzy print on my photo): "Prepare your deposit envelope and deposit slip before arriving at the ATM."

The blue sign on the right of the screen?? It said: "For your convenience, ATM Deposit Envelope will be dispensed during transaction"!!!! (Sorry, I can't get this picture to post in the right direction!)

So, M&T Bank, what do you REALLY want me to do in order to be safe???


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Thanksgiving funnies!

Haven't had much time to post lately, but I figured I at least needed to add my favorite Thanksgiving cartoons, old and new!  If I don't get to post again before Thanksgiving, I hope you have a wonderful, bountiful day, filled with family, friends, happiness, good food and THANKFULNESS!!

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