H O M E M A D E fun

it's messy, time consuming and i don't have the patience for it as often as i would like, but cooking with children can be a fun and entertaining experience. i also have a hard time convincing ozzie that he should bake with me instead of playing legos or running around outside.

when i really have an itch to bake with one of the children however, all i have to do mention a dessert. our favorite? homemade chocolate chip cookies. i used to resort to store-bought cookie dough in a tube, until we moved in with our good friends the "L" family and my eyes {and taste buds} were opened. they do not take very long to make and they taste a bazillion times better.

mother.son bonding in the kitchen... worth the extra mess.

winner, winner, chicken dinner.

the other night the boys and i were talking about how wonderful their daddy is and how hard he works and decided that we should leave a treat for him to come home to that night. the result was decorated cards and chocolate covered strawberries. {scrumptious}. the boys were proud and their dad was blessed.

happy . birthday . eo

last monday i sent out a last minute invitation to e.o.'s birthday party that would take place that saturday. at first i felt bad that i had not spent a few weeks planning and that because of our late invite many of his friends would not be able to make it, but now that it is all said and done i think it's my favorite party so far.

the invite.

the location.

the decorations.

{yup, that's all i made. sailor hats made out of newspaper}

our outdoor movie theater.

{we showed bolt. a charming movie.}

the campers.

the crazy hosts.

the kids had a blast. e.o. received a manageable amount of presents. the only cooking i did was cupcakes and popcorn {stove top... just like my mom made}. the children played mostly outside. e.o. is now going on his fourth hour of nap. smiles all around!

. belly laughs .

Babies are notorious for putting E V E R Y T H I N G in their mouths and m.j. is no exception. It is also common for them to prefer items such as cell phones, keys and remote controls over their own specially made, brightly colored, noise making baby toys. Since my blackberry will keep m.j. occupied for an hour it is very tempting not to let her have at it, however such a decision usually results in a soggy phone that refuses to work for a few hours. Typically when she manages to get a hold of my cell and I take it away from her, she pouts. This afternoon I got a completely different reaction from her. Check out the footage and make sure your volume is on....

all american day

For the past three years I have taken the children to my parent's home to celebrate the 4th of July, one of my favorite holidays. The neighborhood, which is built around a small private lake, organizes an old fashioned Independence Day event - from start to finish. This year was even more exciting because Yoder was able to join us as well as our close friends and their three children.

First thing on the itinerary is a fishing derby. Espen was able to join in this year and although he didn't win, his caught his very first fish and was extremely proud. Next was a hay stack hunt, followed by a sack race {Yoder and Oz swept the kids and adult race}, three legged race, egg relay and water balloon toss. The neighborhood event closed with a pot-luck BBQ, complete with hot dogs, potato salad and cotton candy. Yum!

So next we headed to Grandpa Bill and Grandma Jane's for some quality time on the beach and in the lake, more food, skydivers {that's right! Crazy Papa Bill and two of his wing men jumped over the lake and landed on the beach!}, naps, more fishing, more swimming and fireworks.

It was the best 4th yet. We hope to drag more family and friends into the mix next year!

catching up

I have some {actually a lot} of catching up to do. But before I do that, I would like to share a prayer that has been on my heart lately. I am typically more thankful for my life and blessings, but lately I have been feeling tired and just plain impatient. I am tired of having to count every penny, of people in my family not being healed, of hearing about the economy, of, well, maybe that's it but regardless they weigh heavy on me. I love my God and believe in His promises, but sometimes it is hard to trust when you don't see any progression. And so, tonight I am laying it all down with this prayer. His Word says "do not worry", 350 times. That is almost one per day of the year so I'm guessing he means it.

Father,

I know how great, powerful and loving you are. You see my heart and my circumstances. I want to follow after you, yet sometimes I find it hard to wrap my mind around your promises. You say, "my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" Matthew 11:30. Show me God, what this looks like. Remind me of your faithfulness. How you have answered my prayers in the past and show up when I need you today and everyday in the future. Remind me that I don't need to worry and give me the energy and wisdom to be my utmost for my family, for you and for myself. You are more then capable and more then willing.

I pray for healing over our families. Restore hope where it has been lost. I thank you for anointed Doctors, for necessary finances, for wisdom, perseverance and for miracles. How ever you want to do it Lord. I ask for your all sufficient grace and that the pain and tears that have already been endured would not be wasted. I thank you, that by your wounds we are healed {1Peter 2:24} and I trust you with all of my loved ones.

Lastly, I pray for financial provision. I pray that my view of money would be lined up with yours. Bless our entire family despite the state of the economy. I pray that our parents would be able to retire whenever they are ready. That our children and their cousins would be blessed with money for college. Give us all a generous heart. You know what bills need to be paid and what our needs are and I trust you to provide above and beyond.

"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work." 2Corinthians 9:8

I love you Father.

In Jesus' Name, Amen!