"Where I come from it's cornbread and chicken.
Where I come from alot of back porch pickin'...
Where I come from tryin' to make a livin'
Workin' hard to get to Heaven...Where I come from." ~Alan Jackson
I must say I love being a small town girl. I still love it that everybody knows
everybody when you are grocery shopping, getting gas, etc....don't necessarily like
the gossip (everyone knows everyone's business) but I just love the slower life
we live than the big cities. I love the country.....and all the noises that go with it.
I love coming up behind a tractor or pulling over to let a combine pass on a road...
I'm so very thankful for where I have grown up....and so very thankful that God
brought us back to my hometown. He is so good...all the time.
Love n Hugs...Laura
Monday, May 5, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
It's Over!
Well....Oklahoma is over with....done, done done.....
After many nights, months of practice...the kids pulled it off.
And they did soooooooooooooooo great....they are such a talented
group of kids. I am so proud of Jason for all the hard work he does with his students.
It's always an awesome thing to see them respect him and respond to his teachings.
We had great turnouts all 3 performances. I don't have pictures as we got a new computer
and we haven't downloaded my Kodak program yet...but asap I will share with you.
Gabe was the babysitters all nights but Lil miss Ellie went with me and did great every time.
There was just no stinkin' way Gabe was gonna sit thru a 3 hour show!!
FCCLA had some really yummy desserts too that they sold so that was fun too.
I am very happy to have my hubby back again in the evenings!
(Little does he know all the activites I have planned for us now.....and all the babysitting
I have lined up for him...hee hee) just kidding...it's not thaaaaaaaat bad ;)
well, we are tired and worn out from a fun filled weekend....hope you all hava great week!
I'm also so very thankful that all the babysitters this weekend AND the sunday school teacher said that Gabe was very well behaved and sweet.....so why does my dear little monkey boy push my buttons so hard at home then?!?!?!??!?!
I will leave you with this:
"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation...This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:14,24
Love n Hugs...Laura
After many nights, months of practice...the kids pulled it off.
And they did soooooooooooooooo great....they are such a talented
group of kids. I am so proud of Jason for all the hard work he does with his students.
It's always an awesome thing to see them respect him and respond to his teachings.
We had great turnouts all 3 performances. I don't have pictures as we got a new computer
and we haven't downloaded my Kodak program yet...but asap I will share with you.
Gabe was the babysitters all nights but Lil miss Ellie went with me and did great every time.
There was just no stinkin' way Gabe was gonna sit thru a 3 hour show!!
FCCLA had some really yummy desserts too that they sold so that was fun too.
I am very happy to have my hubby back again in the evenings!
(Little does he know all the activites I have planned for us now.....and all the babysitting
I have lined up for him...hee hee) just kidding...it's not thaaaaaaaat bad ;)
well, we are tired and worn out from a fun filled weekend....hope you all hava great week!
I'm also so very thankful that all the babysitters this weekend AND the sunday school teacher said that Gabe was very well behaved and sweet.....so why does my dear little monkey boy push my buttons so hard at home then?!?!?!??!?!
I will leave you with this:
"The Lord is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation...This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!" Psalm 118:14,24
Love n Hugs...Laura
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Baby Food Bars
I made these the other day and they were so yummy!
3 eggs
2 c sugar
1 1/4 c veg oil
1 tsp salt
2 c flour
2 tsp soda
2 tsp cinnamon
Combine eggs and sugar. Beat well. Beat in veg oil, salt, soda,
cinnamon and flour into mixture. Add 3- 5oz jars of baby food of your choice
(sweet potatoes, carrots, applesauce or apricots, they are all yummy with
this recipe!) Bake in greased sheet pan at 350 for 20 min.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 stick of butter
3 1/2 c powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
Mix well and spread on cooled bars.
3 eggs
2 c sugar
1 1/4 c veg oil
1 tsp salt
2 c flour
2 tsp soda
2 tsp cinnamon
Combine eggs and sugar. Beat well. Beat in veg oil, salt, soda,
cinnamon and flour into mixture. Add 3- 5oz jars of baby food of your choice
(sweet potatoes, carrots, applesauce or apricots, they are all yummy with
this recipe!) Bake in greased sheet pan at 350 for 20 min.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
1 8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 stick of butter
3 1/2 c powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla
Mix well and spread on cooled bars.
Psalm 143
I read this on my friend's blog today:
"I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.
Answer me speedily, O Lord;
My spirit fails!
Do not hide Your face from me,
Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning.
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
...In You I take shelter.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
...Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's sake!
For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble."
~Psalm 143
I have failed again today in "mothering and wifing".
Gabe had his stubborn attitude, did very bad things over and over again...
Made many messes...fell on his sister and made her cry...threw a crying fit and threw
up all over the living room floor, the big bean bag, his clothes....dumped water everywhere....
poured baby shampoo in i don't know where all yet...hit me...threw food on the floor...wouldn't eat his veggies...whined many, many times.....climbed up on the coffee table multiple times....found some important backup cds in the computer armoire and smudged them up good....tried messing with the buttons on the printer....stood up on the kitchen chairs many times....and when Jason got home, I took it out on him.
Why? why can't i be supermom? why can't i just be patient? why can't i just be soft spoken? Why can't I be slow to anger?
Why couldn't I just get it together? Why do I take it out on my husband?
Only by God's grace will I get thru this season...and remember that it is sufficient enough for me.
And that His mercies are new every day...*sigh* Thank You Father!
Gabe also gave me many hugs and kisses and cuddles today.....he gave me many adorable smiles and told me many stories in his language. He did eat all his other food even if he didn't eat his veggies. He did take his bath very well tonite. He did play great a couple times today by himself. I do love him so very muchly...and tomorrow is another day to get up and try again.
Hava great rest of the weekend!
Love n Hugs...Laura
"I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all Your works;
I muse on the work of Your hands.
I spread out my hands to You;
My soul longs for You like a thirsty land.
Answer me speedily, O Lord;
My spirit fails!
Do not hide Your face from me,
Lest I be like those who go down into the pit.
Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning.
For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk,
For I lift up my soul to You.
...In You I take shelter.
Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God;
Your Spirit is good.
...Revive me, O Lord, for Your name's sake!
For Your righteousness' sake bring my soul out of trouble."
~Psalm 143
I have failed again today in "mothering and wifing".
Gabe had his stubborn attitude, did very bad things over and over again...
Made many messes...fell on his sister and made her cry...threw a crying fit and threw
up all over the living room floor, the big bean bag, his clothes....dumped water everywhere....
poured baby shampoo in i don't know where all yet...hit me...threw food on the floor...wouldn't eat his veggies...whined many, many times.....climbed up on the coffee table multiple times....found some important backup cds in the computer armoire and smudged them up good....tried messing with the buttons on the printer....stood up on the kitchen chairs many times....and when Jason got home, I took it out on him.
Why? why can't i be supermom? why can't i just be patient? why can't i just be soft spoken? Why can't I be slow to anger?
Why couldn't I just get it together? Why do I take it out on my husband?
Only by God's grace will I get thru this season...and remember that it is sufficient enough for me.
And that His mercies are new every day...*sigh* Thank You Father!
Gabe also gave me many hugs and kisses and cuddles today.....he gave me many adorable smiles and told me many stories in his language. He did eat all his other food even if he didn't eat his veggies. He did take his bath very well tonite. He did play great a couple times today by himself. I do love him so very muchly...and tomorrow is another day to get up and try again.
Hava great rest of the weekend!
Love n Hugs...Laura
Friday, May 2, 2008
Camouflaged Surroundings
The other day I was traumatized by a spider...yup, I hate them and they probably hate me.
Even though I grew up a farm girl and saw all kinds of scary and nasty insects and rodents...I still am afraid of spiders. When I went to Haiti, I saw a HUGE, hairy, black spider the size of a child's shoe....I shivered for weeks. There is a picture in my album from that trip....not for me to look at, but for proof that there are such nasty things in the world...somewhere.
So, we spray the foundation every 6 mths for such things as these. But some always manage to sneak in our house. Most interesting about this house is that most all the spiders are a light tan/straw color....you have to look really hard to see them. Well.....let me tell ya....my eyes are strained at maxium strength this time of year. For I would hate to mistaken that spider for something else that color.
Lo and behold, the other day, one was crawling on the bathroom wall when I was getting ready. Gabe was playing in the hallway right outside the door and heard me shriek. I ran to get Daddy's sandal to kill him and by the time I got back, the spider was running rapidly for cover. Gabe saw this and was traumitized also, so I had to calm down. I got us both calmed down and we watched that smart lil spider crawl into my decor above the toilet. There is a little sign hanging from a hook with straw stuff hanging from it. And what do you think that lil guy did? Yup....he started spinning himself a nice cacoon into the straw and if I wouldn't have seen him crawl to there, I would have never know he was there. I eventually killed him successfully.
I still do not use the throne in peace yet....I lift the seat and look cautiously everywhere around it, above it, below it.....I have a fear of spiders biting me or scaring me while I'm peacefully emtying my bladder and bowel.
Moral of the story: Evil things will try to camouflage themselves into nice and pretty looking things in life. Therefore: Always, always be on guard and be aware of your surroundings...who and what you surround yourself with...and where you go.
*AND* Always inspect your royal throne's vicinity...ya never know who or what may be lurking around watching you sprinkle when you tinkle.
Happy Friday!! Love n Hugs...Laura
Even though I grew up a farm girl and saw all kinds of scary and nasty insects and rodents...I still am afraid of spiders. When I went to Haiti, I saw a HUGE, hairy, black spider the size of a child's shoe....I shivered for weeks. There is a picture in my album from that trip....not for me to look at, but for proof that there are such nasty things in the world...somewhere.
So, we spray the foundation every 6 mths for such things as these. But some always manage to sneak in our house. Most interesting about this house is that most all the spiders are a light tan/straw color....you have to look really hard to see them. Well.....let me tell ya....my eyes are strained at maxium strength this time of year. For I would hate to mistaken that spider for something else that color.
Lo and behold, the other day, one was crawling on the bathroom wall when I was getting ready. Gabe was playing in the hallway right outside the door and heard me shriek. I ran to get Daddy's sandal to kill him and by the time I got back, the spider was running rapidly for cover. Gabe saw this and was traumitized also, so I had to calm down. I got us both calmed down and we watched that smart lil spider crawl into my decor above the toilet. There is a little sign hanging from a hook with straw stuff hanging from it. And what do you think that lil guy did? Yup....he started spinning himself a nice cacoon into the straw and if I wouldn't have seen him crawl to there, I would have never know he was there. I eventually killed him successfully.
I still do not use the throne in peace yet....I lift the seat and look cautiously everywhere around it, above it, below it.....I have a fear of spiders biting me or scaring me while I'm peacefully emtying my bladder and bowel.
Moral of the story: Evil things will try to camouflage themselves into nice and pretty looking things in life. Therefore: Always, always be on guard and be aware of your surroundings...who and what you surround yourself with...and where you go.
*AND* Always inspect your royal throne's vicinity...ya never know who or what may be lurking around watching you sprinkle when you tinkle.
Happy Friday!! Love n Hugs...Laura
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Joy
"I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
~ Isaiah 61:10
I will choose joy because I am:
1- clothed in garments of salvation
2- covered with a robe of righteousness
3- loved by an amazing Father
Love n Hugs...Laura
~ Isaiah 61:10
I will choose joy because I am:
1- clothed in garments of salvation
2- covered with a robe of righteousness
3- loved by an amazing Father
Love n Hugs...Laura
Life is Short
Tonite we found out a dear man from our community was killed in a semi accident in Colorado.
He was driving his rig in the bad weather out there, hauling a load of bricks...the pictures are awful. He goes to church with my parents and well known by so many. He was always smiling a HUGE smile....always blessing people BIG....always radiating Jesus....awesome husband, father, grampa. If you didn't see him at church on Sunday, his wife and him were ministrying at truckstops and jails. He was just an amazing man. The man that was team driving with him was not a Christian...Big E was saved. His team driver survives...Big E is now dancing on the streets of gold in Heaven with Blake. God is a God that never ceases to amaze me. He chose to take the man that was ready for eternity home with him...and he's giving the other man a chance to think again about life and what it means. What a loving Father.
Tonite we also found out that some dear friends of ours are expecting their first child. And I'm sure today somewhere in the world, a baby was born already. And I'm reminded again of the song: Blessed be Your Name.
"You give and take away
You give and take away
Still I will choose to say,
Lord, Blessed be Your Name."
Heavenly Father...we just lift up to You the Steffen family tonite. Father, we just ask that You would hold them close in Your arms of love. Comfort them as only You alone can do. Give them the peace that passes all understanding. I pray that You would hold Betty close and lavish Your love upon her heart as tonite she will be missing her husband and her best friend. Father, be with their children and grandchildren...may the comfort of knowing that their Daddy and Grampa is with Jesus be greater than the sorrow. May we celebrate the Godly and joyful life of Earl Steffen...AKA: Big E from Tennessee! We will miss his smile. And Father....may this be a reminder to us...that life is short...it truly is a vapor. May we love deeper, forgive quicker, and live for You alone. In Jesus' Name...Amen.
He was driving his rig in the bad weather out there, hauling a load of bricks...the pictures are awful. He goes to church with my parents and well known by so many. He was always smiling a HUGE smile....always blessing people BIG....always radiating Jesus....awesome husband, father, grampa. If you didn't see him at church on Sunday, his wife and him were ministrying at truckstops and jails. He was just an amazing man. The man that was team driving with him was not a Christian...Big E was saved. His team driver survives...Big E is now dancing on the streets of gold in Heaven with Blake. God is a God that never ceases to amaze me. He chose to take the man that was ready for eternity home with him...and he's giving the other man a chance to think again about life and what it means. What a loving Father.
Tonite we also found out that some dear friends of ours are expecting their first child. And I'm sure today somewhere in the world, a baby was born already. And I'm reminded again of the song: Blessed be Your Name.
"You give and take away
You give and take away
Still I will choose to say,
Lord, Blessed be Your Name."
Heavenly Father...we just lift up to You the Steffen family tonite. Father, we just ask that You would hold them close in Your arms of love. Comfort them as only You alone can do. Give them the peace that passes all understanding. I pray that You would hold Betty close and lavish Your love upon her heart as tonite she will be missing her husband and her best friend. Father, be with their children and grandchildren...may the comfort of knowing that their Daddy and Grampa is with Jesus be greater than the sorrow. May we celebrate the Godly and joyful life of Earl Steffen...AKA: Big E from Tennessee! We will miss his smile. And Father....may this be a reminder to us...that life is short...it truly is a vapor. May we love deeper, forgive quicker, and live for You alone. In Jesus' Name...Amen.
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