Election Day '08

Well folks, only about a hour and a half until Election Day '08 is officially over.

I hate conflict. Although, I am not afraid to speak when I know it is what I am being commanded to do. Not that I should sound or try to be righteous, because Lord knows I am still just a wretch. But all the turmoil in our nation has been breaking my heart. I love my country, and I know I was born and raised here for a reason. God is sovereign. He is perfect, and His plans and timing are beyond our comprehension. "For who knows the mind of our God, and who can bring counsel to him..."

I voted today. I felt proud, honored and privileged to have a voice in what may happen to this nation. So.. as the day is nearing its end, I am filled with joy and with a little angst. All the debating, and he said she said is finally drawing to a close. And NBC is predicting Obama to be our next president.

Things have not been looking too pretty for our "great nation" for sometime.. and from what I've seen, I don't think it will be getting much better. But what I fear most is that people will not heed the warnings and wake-up calls. No matter what happens, no matter who sits in the Oval Office.. I serve a Higher King. He is Sovereign. He is good. And I know.. His hand is over EVERYTHING. NOTHING will ever change that.

So, tonight.. as I go to bed, I will rest in that. I will have a peace that surpasses all understanding. I will rest in the fact that He works everything for His own glory. And yes, things may not be all rosy for me and my little family.. we may have hardships, and we may struggle... but I know that God still sits on the throne... and He ALWAYS will!

Did you know?

That autumn (or fall, whichever you prefer) is actually code for "season of soups." Friends, I kid you not. That's really what it mean. Well. At least in my book it does. I get stupid happy when it starts turning the slightest bit cool! Because it means I can start cooking all my yummy soups. Not only are they yummy, but they are super inexpensive to make and last forever!

Tonight, I will be making this beauty:

Taco Soup

Although poor Hubs.. when he saw the lineup for this week solemnly said "I don't think I'm ready for that yet." (Referring of course to the taco soup.) Did I mention how much I love to make soups? OOoohh, another great point.. I can start this bad boy at about 4:30ish-5ish.. we can go work out.. and it will still taste WONDERFUL when we get back. (And of course, leftovers always heat up as good as new.)

Recipe:

1 lb Hamburger Meat

1 packet Ranch seasoning/dip mix

1 packet Taco seasoning

1 can Mexican style stewed tomatoes (sometimes I just use regular ones if I can't find Mex. style)

1 can normal corn

1 can black beans, rinsed and drained

1 can pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Brown hamburger meat (salt and pepper to taste), drain, put in slow cooker or big ol' pot, add the rest of the ingredients and a couple (or whatever looks right) can fulls of water to pot. Let it cook on medium/low until temperature is just right.

We usually garnish ours with shredded cheddar and sour cream... and tortilla chips!

Hope you enjoy your *Season Of Soups*! =)

Professional Park People

6 Kids, 1 Park, 1 Long Walk.. and Another Park= Tons*Of*Fun

Today I learned that my nephews are part chimp.. and one is even part camel!

"Well. How do you get up there?"

Isn't this just so sweet? Jade loves her cousins!

LOL is all I have to say about this one!

After our long morning out in the parks, we headed back to my house. We all scarfed down peanut butter and jelly sandwiches like we hadn't eaten in two weeks. They were delicious. Although I had a hard time convincing my neices and nephews that I use the same brand Jelly my sister uses. I tried foolishly to also tell them we used the same peanut butter. They weren't fooled.

As my sister came to collect her precious treasures, I tried to work out an arrangement, if you will, with my neice. Instead of having to take a nap today, she could stay up and answer my calls and do all my work. She found that rather amusing. I was not kidding. I will be sleeping like a rock tonight dear friends.

Ordinary Day

I woke up this morning, quite refreshed.. and anticipating a tall cup of fresh coffee Thanks to Mr. Amazing, I enjoyed sipping on it while I worked and peeked out the window every once in a while to a beautiful sunrise. Pretty soon, the most beautiful noise filled my ears. The Princess had awoken and was talking so sweetly in her room, just kind of babbling. We had fun eating breakfast together. I threw on some clothes, and we went to go pump some iron. (Sidenote: Don't become really good, ie best friends with people who own a gym. It just makes you want to workout. Hah.) Jesus and I had some great time together on the elyptical machine thanks to Watermark. After I was about to break out in a completely grotesque sweat, we left to go home and enjoy lunch.. and a bit of random play time. And after Jade's nap we went to the park. It was so beautfiful outside, and BONUS: we did not start dripping sweat as soon as we set foot outside. So, I guess we have our own version of fall here. Jade enjoyed the dirt/mulch the most at the park. You can call a girl a Princess as much as you want.. it doesn't mean she will always act like one! =)

FINALLY, after what seemed like an eternity, the Amazing Mr. came home. We grilled our shish-ka-bobs on our awesome deck. Well. We started out there, and then we ran out of propane. But thanks to Mr Foreman and his Lean Mean Grilling Machine, dinner was salvaged. After dinner, we let the dishes just sit. (Thanks to much coersing from the Amazing Mr., I did not immediately rush inside to do them.) Then, we ran around like wild goons telling the Princess we were going to "get her," and listened to the most precious giggles and squeals erupt out of her cute little mouth. Once it got too dark to be out, we came in. I did the dishes and peeked over the bar to see Jade showing every book she has to her daddy.. occasionally wrapping her sweet little arms around his neck.

In the blink of an eye, it was bed time. Jade thought it was hilarious to waller around on her tummy and then splash real crazy like in the bath. Then, we dressed her, prayed, and I rocked her for just a bit. I put her in her bed with her little blanket and Violet (her purple, stuffed hippo.)

So there you have it.. just another very *extra* ordinary day in our crazy/normal little life.

Party Hard-y

Is that how that is spelled?

Anyways, we had a blast celebrating sweet Lela's 3rd birthday at her house! Our friends have the cutest cottage-y, country type house on the cutest little acre or so of land.. with the most picturesque surroundings. Lela may have been the birthday girl, and center of attention.. but I was able to snap some really cute shots of the Princess doing her own thing. 

This one is a bit blurry.. but I think you get the point.

Princess On A Mission

"Why in the world does this ball have all these bumpy things on it?"

Our friend made some really cute favor bags for the party guests, which included theme oriented favors. Jade got a really cute animal mask and a farm book. I knew I should have given away tiara's and jewels at Jade's 1st Birthday Party.. I know my nephews would have totally love that!! =)

Sidenote: Princess can now get off high surfaces safely. (Like the couch, our bed, etc... all of course under our supervision.) And today she scooted down the stairs on her bottom.. but I have no idea where she learned that. 

Busy, Busy weekend

This weekend was an absolute blast! Friday night we fellowshipp'ed with some friends and did much of nothing. Saturday morning, we were lazy for a bit and then met some more friends at the Pumpkin Patch. It as an absolutely, beautifully perfect day to be out. And every once in a while, we caught a nice breeze... because Texas just doesn't understand that it is AUTUMN! Nonetheless, we enjoyed chasing after Jade, going on a hayride and even a train ride. Afterwards, we enjoyed the best beverage in the world, why Sweet Tea of course, at Chick-fil-A.  (Can you believe we totally missed some other friends that were meeting us there? The Patch is crazy!)

This is the best family picture we could manage. Did I mention how beautifully, sunny it was?

Rewind approximately 365 days... that have just flown by!

We stopped home for a bit, and then we were off to celebrate another friend's 3rd birthday. Pictures of that event to come later.

For now, I will be taking full advantage of the Sabbath.. and an exhausted, napping toddler!

Indulgence

The Precious Princess had a little bit of a rough time drifiting off into dreamworld tonight.

So, after she was tuckered out...

I had one of these (not the whole box, just one)

with a glass of this.

But, now I am off to indulge in something divinely better

.. with a little bit of this on the side.

And some of this playing to lead me into the Almighty's presence...