Thaddaeus first time down a slide...don't know if he liked it or not....didn't show much expression...

Two weeks ago we got teased with some 70 degree weather in the month of February....oh if it would have stayed....oh well we enjoyed it while it was here. I took the kids to a park nearby after school that friday. As you can see it was warm enough for short sleeves and sandals or barefoot :) I loved it and so did the kids!
Hey I want that camera!

yea, I'm a cutie :)

don't know what move that is....cheerleading maybe :)

February 25

Today is February 25. A date that brings both happiness but also brings tears of sadness. A date that a family lost a precious love one but Heaven gained a precious soul. A date that a lot of people never think twice about but for me a date that will never be fogotten. A date that I saw God answer a prayer according to His will and not mine. A date that I can vividly remember where I was and what I was doing and who I was with. A date that will always stand out in my mind.....this date is the day I was able to hold my mommy's hand for the last time,this date was the last time I was able to tell her face to face that I loved her, the last time I was able to hug my mommy, the day I saw my mommy take her last breath here on this earth.... I still vividly remember that last breath she took and knowing her fight with cancer was over and she was now "completely healed". You see the Lord did answer our prayers about healing our mommy, it just wasn't exactly "how" we had wanted. Yes, we wanted the cancer to be removed from her body but not for "her" to be removed from us as well. We all loved her so much and we so needed her. But knowing she is with her Lord,perfectly whole, and knowing that "there is a purpose" surely does bring both peace and comfort to a heavy heart. So you see this date will always be fresh in my mind as well as the details of that day. February 25 .

The other part the kids really liked was the Penguin park. There was a tunnel that the kids could crawl thru. Cailyn did not like it at first. the funny part that didn't get videotaped was when she was coming out of the tunnel a penguin came right underneath her and she SCREAMED! it was so funny...I wish I had kept the video camera going....

the one part we absolutely loved was this. You walked "thru" the big aquarium and it felt like you were right in the middle of all the fishes and sharks! it was so "cool" as Nathanael said :)

We stopped in Gatlinburg, TN on the way back home from Mississippi. we were able to stay two nights in a cabin, which was provided by brett's Uncle Jerry. We had so much fun those two days! one day we went to the Aquarium there in Gatlinburg. Thanks to Jen for sending me a "homeschool card" we were able to use that to prove we did homeschool and we got 50% off our tickets! Thanks Jen!

this is actually the bottom side of a shark...looks like a ghost :)

I would love to have a bis fish aquarium like this in my house! it is so relaxing to watch! and it would keep the kids occupied :)

My little rugrats! (they look it too :) )

The one thing the kids love to do at Granddaddy's house is to ride the "tractor". They would go around and around ALL day if someone would take them :) When I was a child I remember my papa taking us around on his tractor so I know how much they love it. Then I remember the day when we were able to "drive" it" but then we had to start buying our own gas since we drove it everywhere :)

Thaddaeus' first ride on the tractor

Granddady took us to a really good Mexican place one night. Our family LOVES Mexican! Thanks Granddaddy!

Nanny with her 5 great grandchildren

Washing dishes in one side of the sink and Thaddaeus in the other :)

The girls helped me fix pancakes one morning while at Grandaddy's house. My little helpers love to be in the kitchen with their mommy. This was Madison first time flipping pancakes and she did quite well. Cailyn's job was to butter the pancakes and she did great too. And I know Grandaddy loved his pancakes especially knowing his granddaughters made them! :)

This girl ate WAY too much on this past trip...but when traveling over 2400 miles in one week anything to keep sanity in the van sometimes you just had to give in and let her eat so she would keep quiet :)

And to keep daddy awake so he could drive and mommy could TRY to get some sleep we stopped at these quiet a bit....notice the size he got :) yea he had HIS share of sugar too on this trip :)

Anytime we go down South, there are a couple places we HAVE to stop to eat. One is Krystals. That one is for my hubby...I think it's nasty but he loves it so we stop. The second place is for me....Cracker Barrell! Though in a few more months, I wont' have to go down South for some good Cracker Barrell...Maryland is actually getting one and it is near us! yea!

Breakfast on Sunday morning....yes sirree, daddy had it all...cinnamon rolls, fresh fruit, frest squeezed juice, hot chocolate, and even carrot juice for Nathanael and Brett! Thanks daddy!

Thanks daddy for opening your house to us once again! We so enjoy our visit even if its only for a day or two. We love you! Now come see us :)

Although, we may be packed in like sardines and be traveling over 2,000 miles in the next few days, we sure are having fun just being together as a family! I love my family!

32/365

I came into the family room and this is what I saw.... Poor Thaddaues, his brother, Nathanael, was trying to make a pillow for him but I don't think it was too comfortable for the little guy.....

31/365

Last night we had Belgium waffles for dinner. I LOVE breakfast for dinner! This time I made some with M and M's and the other with fresh blueberries....can you guess what the kids wanted ? :)

What do you like in your waffles?

30/365

I found a couple bags of peaches in my freezer this past week. I was soooo excited! Why was I so excited about a bag of frozen peaches? well these were my mommy's peaches( she had in her freezer but I brought a lot home this past summer since daddy was trying to get rid of a lot of food in there). That's her handwriting too :) I knew what I was going to make too....peach cobbler! So I called up Sandra(my mother in law) and asked her for her DELICIOUS recipe! Thanks Sandra....we LOVE your cobbler! here is the recipe for those who want to try it:
1/2 cup of butter
3/4 cup of sugar
3/4 cup of flour
1/2 cup of milk
one large can of peaches( or in my case, frozen peaches)
you will melt the stick of butter in a 13 * 9 pan in the oven while it is preheating to 350.
While the butter is melting you will mix the sugar and flour together in a bowl
Take the pan out when the butter is melted and pour the peaches and milk then top it with the flour/sugar mixture. Bake till golden brown....I forgot how long it was ...oops :)

Today was going to be our "lazy day". You gotta love those days...nothing planned, anything goes, just have fun and relax :) Well, it all got started when Nathanael wanted to make something, so I gave him an empty shoe box. The first thing that box was was a guitar( he put rubber bands around it) then he decided it didnt' sound exactly like a guitar so he wanted to make a truck. I suggested he make a boat since I didn't have anything for the wheels. he was happy so he started making his boat. When he was having difficulty making his mask stay in place, I suggested several things but then daddy steps in and says HE can make anything....well, I don't think he knew what he was getting himself into for TWO hours later, he had made not only one little boat but 4 little sailboats, one for each of the kids :) He did an awesome job I might add....His creative side came out today for which the kids were very pleased....

Even got the hairdryer out so the paint could dry quicker ;)

Pretty good artwork Brett :)

The final outcome.... Good job honey!

This is what I did today:

Can you guess ?

Yep! Made homemade strawberry jelly. Having biscuits this morning, although they were good, I was missing one thing....strawberry jelly to go on them...
This was the first time I had used store bought frozen strawberries but tasting the jelly you would never know...even have enough strawberries to make 2 more batches so don't worry, daddy, I'm bringing you home some next week....well....that is if the grandkids don't get into them before or your daughter...he he... :)

29/365

This morning we had a big breakfast like we usually do on Saturdays. Today it was eggs and homemade biscuits. Yes, I know Pillsbury makes wonderful biscuits (like my sister Ashley reminds me :) ), but I am trying to find a recipe for biscuits like my mommy used to make every Saturday morning. While I was rolling out my biscuits this morning my mind went back to when I was growing up...... I could vividly remember coming downstairs and seeing her in the kitchen frying bacon or sausage, stirring the country gravy, biscuits already rolled out and cut and in the oven, and eggs in a bowl waiting to be scrambled. I could even hear the music that always played in the background.( for if you knew my mommy you knew she loved her Christian music playing throughout the house. It wasn't loud just playing softly, giving a warm, peaceful atmosphere in the house.) She did make the BEST country breakfast and everything was made from scratch which meant my mommy was up WAY before anyone in the house. she also wanted to be sure to have breakfast hot and ready for us when we got up. She was an example of a Proverbs 31 lady.....vs 15 "she riseth also while it is yet night and giveth meat to her household....." Yes Mam, that was my mommy! I love you mommy and I am so thankful for the Bible principles you taught me through your everyday activities!

If someone has an awesome biscuit recipe could you please send me? These are the best that i have made so far but still looking....

I have come across a blog of a mother who gives devotionals each week and lately they have been on topics I have REALLY needed. I wanted to pass them on and if you click on her site and put as a favorite to read when you have a moment :) I hope they are just as encouraging to you as they are to me....www.mannaformoms.com