hello blog world....otis is one! or is he seven?

i'm feeling really bad as i haven't been able to update my blog in like FOREVER!

sorry for that.

i've been busy with work, athome, brady's basketball games and everything else that comes along with motherhood. laundry. meals. sick kids. try to keep the house tidy and failing.

i'll do better.

otis did turn one while i was away.

we threw him a little tiny party to show him we care.

for the most part it went rather well except for the last picture of course.

see you.

 brooke and otis on the way to brady's game thursday night.

him being a "big boy" sitting in seat by himself.

(or spoiled boy)

he makes a good headphone stand!

Jan 22nd a.k.a birthday day!

his party was wild!

~i'm making these-with brooke's help!

brooke and i started making friendship bracelets to hand out for valentines day this year. what a cute idea and a neat little note. i think these are neat for any age girls to do. from little ones to teens, like my daughter. i showed her this idea and she was game right away. photo credit and idea found here.

it's a nice way to give to everyone in school. even kids you don't hang out with much but see everyday. i know in middle school/ high school bulling can get pretty bad, so what a neat way to give someone a little encouragement that they are needed!

"just play. have fun. enjoy the game." Michael Jordan

i pointed brady out in the picture above....

he has changed so much. not as shy. funny. tall.

this is his team mixed with 7th and 8th graders.

brady is in 7th but just as tall as the "tall kids" in 8th.

which is good since his favorite sport is basketball.

i think he gets that from me.

when i was young, and in shape :), i played varsity basketball and played well.

i miss those days. but it brings back memories watching my boy play.

i think it's true what thee Michael Jordan had to say of the sport.

just play. have fun. enjoy the game.

to many times we don't stop and enjoy it. we are to focused on winning.

i'll be the first to admit....I HATE TO LOSE. i play to win.

but really looking back win or lose i enjoyed playing the game.

and had so much fun doing it...

my hope is for him to do the same..

~2012...it's a new year!

we have been busy wrapping up 2011 with good food and good friends.

last night we had some friends from ogallala down and they ended up spending the night. it was fun we played games, laughed, shared stories and struggled to stay up for the new year.

and we made it. but was in our beds at 12:01 :) and fast asleep.

it's the pits getting old....

a couple days before, we had some more friends driving through town who asked if we could

meet them for supper, so we headed to ruby tuesdays and again had a fun time.

reuniting with old friends. we sat the kids at their own table so we could talk easier.

so ready to start the new year.

we've had a lot of changes this past year and in the new year i'd like to

find comfort in where we are at now.

we still haven't found a "church home" but hope to soon.

it's something we've been struggling with.

change is hard and not an easy thing to get use to for me.

but i hope to find my place here.

Happy New Year!

~Merry Christmas~



whoopie pies delivered from Massachusetts




otis enjoying his new bone.




popcorn anyone??




brady trying to guess his gift.




lovin' his new bones




headphones are back in style.....oh yeah!!!




our Christmas tree.




brooke holding up nebraska hoodie....



Merry Christmas!

Hope yours was merry and bright...

~a recipe worth sharing...~

again this year someone contacted me for this recipe

that's how good it is.

i had made it couple years ago for thanksgiving with the family

and now every year they are wanting it to be a tradition...

so i though i'd re post the recipe again.

it's really easy, so you'll love that part as well:)

it was found in my church cookbook many, many years ago when I attended Castle Rock, Colorado

Church of the Nazarene.

Recipe:

Fresh Strawberry Pie

1-1/2 c. water


1-1/2 c. sugar


1/4 c. cornstarch


1- 3 oz. box strawberry jello


3 to 4 c. fresh strawberries


Cook first three ingredients until clear. Add the Jello and stir well. Cool. Add the fresh strawberries halfed and quartered. Put in nine inch pie shell or graham cracker pie shell. Chill. Serve with whipped cream.

Hope you will try this.

and i hope your family enjoys as much as mine has.

 

Happy Friday!



~15 years~

i saw this on pinterest and thought it was extra meaningful today....

chuck and i have been married for 15 years

and this fortune cookie made me laugh.

so true. but what a journey:)

engagement picture many years ago.