Family Fun

Yesterday we surprised our kids with a night's stay at the Great Wolf Lodge. What a blast! The kids had fun and we had fun too! Here's some pictures from our trip...




This is me in my new hair! :) Blonde. It's kind of fun.

My oldest boy... growing up! I'm proud of him.

..and this little angel is the reason Mommy didn't get much sleep. It was probably the mix of a different place to sleep and being too tired but, she kept me up all night. But it ended well because I spent a nice relaxing time in our room - alone - later. Bubble bath, Bible and worship sings. My kind of morning!

Aidan and Daddy. So very much alike!

A little tired, don't ya think?

Cheese-y happy grin!

Talia came splashing down to meet me!

One of my handsome boys.

I hope they love each other for all of their lives.

This was during our breakfast this morning. It was fun but I will be more frugal next time and pack a breakfast. You can't see above us but we were sitting in a "tent".

So, what was I reading this morning? Revelation. haha It might seem strange to read that during a "vacation" time but I did. Have you ever opened a Gideon Bible? I don't very often because I bring my own usually. So I was reading through the beginning and it gives many scriptures for different things. Hopelessness, salvation etc... I decided to read the last few chapters of Revelation and discovered more things to Revelation than I had known before. It was quite encouraging. Heaven will be magnificent! Jesus is Lord! He is the Winner in the end. If you are suffering or just need a good read about part of what we are living for.... read through it. "To him who has ears to hear, let him hear". Open your heart to what God reveals for the end of all time. It was not depressing but hopeful!

Amish Friendship Bread for Everyone!

Here's one of the small loaves. It has Pampered Chef's Sweet Caramel Sprinkles on top!

A friend gave me a starter for Amish Friendship Bread this week. If you haven't tried it, you might love it. But it might also soon become a love/hate relationship. (Relationship with bread? Maybe...)

The way it works is that you keep adding flour, sugar and milk to the bag when indicated and leave it on your counter- not in the fridge. The whole mixture ferments and on the Special Baking Day you mix it up with a pudding mix of your choice along with flavorings of your choice. I used Banana Cream Pudding with Maple flavoring, cinnamon and nutmeg. I must say, it's delicious and the kids have had several pieces! I also put in Spelt Flour and Brown Rice Flour instead of plain white. On the day you bake it, you separate the starter and give it away- if you can! LOL It gets to be hard to give away after awhile. But with all the possibilities, you could have a different flavor every 10 days!

Chocolate with vanilla flavor and chocolate chips

Lemon with vanilla and Pampered Chef Lemon Sprinkles

Chocolate with almond flavor

Vanilla pudding with vanilla

Oreo pudding with vanilla

Vanilla pudding with Raspberries

White Chocolate Pudding with Raspberries

Nuts, coconut, dried fruit, cranberries, pineapple.....

See what I mean? The possibilities are endless! So, just in case you are the delightful recipient of some Amish Friendship Bread starter... here's some ideas for you!

(I do believe you can google the recipe for the starter if you wanted it.... )

Crossing Your Red Sea

The Red Sea, present time


This morning, my kids are at Grandma's and I have some much needed quiet time in my home- alone. It has been so refreshing and encouraging for me that I wanted to share it with you.



I have been reading through the Bible slowly and really soaking it in- not to just get through it in a year's time right now. I've never been able to read straight through it but this time I hope will be different. It's been amazing- the things God has revealed to me that I can apply for my life now, and they things that happened so many years ago in the O.T. .



I'm in Exodus 13, 14 and 15. The Israelites have been let go by Pharaoh and God is now leading them out of there.



Ex. 13:17 explains the way God led the people. He chose to lead them around a war and not through it, so that they did not see it and change their minds about leaving Egypt. So He led them through the wilderness TO the Red Sea. ha ha It struck me that God has good plans. He knows what will happen in the future. He knows the way we should go. The wilderness doesn't seem to be the best way for the people, for us even, but sometimes it's necessary. And leading them TO the Red Sea??? ha ha Doesn't He just always have a way of planning "the impossible" situations to display His power and glory?! He knew exactly where they were going.






Ex 13:21-22 God went before them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, to give them light so that they could travel day and night. "He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night, from before the people." How incredible! To have and KNOW that God's presence is going before them, guiding them. Again, He has such a way of making some impossible, hopeless situations in order to display more of Himself. (I thought of people that have been healed from things like cancer, or even just God bringing them through it and not healing them... He can still be glorified, either way.)


Red Sea, present day. Isn't it beautiful?


Ex 14:4 God's speaking..."I will [do these things] and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army and the Egyptians will know that I am the Lord." The answer to so many things God does is so that people will know He is God! This made me remember that in everything, He supplies all my need. Think of the ways you personally have been taken care of. The essential things to life maybe? A home, food, money. He supplies all of our needs. Somethings that I'm struggling with lately are the ways I'm lacking as a mom and wife. He supplies my need even there. I forget to ask Him to help me get through hard days. He can even give me the patience I need for a day doing school with the kids, during bad attitudes and bickering between siblings. Not to mention the many times that I'm a grouch through it all! He IS all I need.



Thank You Lord, for being everything I need in every way. You are sufficient. You are all I need!










Ex. 14:10 The Egyptians were chasing after the Israelites to bring them back... "And as Pharaoh drew near, the sons of Israel looked and behold, the Egyptians were marching after them and they became very frightened; so the sons of Israel cried out to the Lord. Then they said to Moses, "Is it because there were no graves in Egypt that you have taken us away to die in the wilderness? Why have you dealt with us in this way, bringing us out of Egypt? Is this not the word we spoke to you in Egypt saying, 'Leave us alone that we may serve the Egyptians'? For it would have been better for us to serve the Egyptians than to die in the wilderness."



How easy it is for us to lose focus. When something hard happens, we often question God's faithfulness and we think that we know a better way. They wanted to keep serving the Egyptians?!? They didn't even get it. Little did they know what would soon happen and how it would change their lives forever.....or it should. :)



Ex 14:13-15 "But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again, forever. The Lord will fight for you while you keep silent. Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward. And as for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea, and divide it and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land."





Wow. Stand by and see the salvation of the Lord. I know that God will not rescue me from every hard situation, but there's a beauty in that. We can rest in Him! We should rest in Him! We can not fear and be assured that He will not leave us in the midst of it. He will get us through.



Hopefully this will encourage you. Do you have a "wilderness or a red sea"? If you are going through something "impossible", you can know God's peace. You can have His salvation! He may not snatch you right out of the difficulty, but He WILL see you through!





Thank Him for the ways that He supplies your needs! Do not forget where He has called you from and what He has called you to! For me, I'm called to be a Mom and wife. He will give me what I need to accomplish that well.

A Beautiful Garden

This is my husband and I- almost 9 years ago!

This weekend my husband and I had the true privilege of being one of a few couples to speak at a Marriage Retreat with our church. Wow! It's amazing how when you say YES to God, He allows you to be part of his amazing plans! He's growing my husband and I in new ways -even just recently through preparing our notes! I keep telling him [my husband], "There's nothing more attractive to a wife than watching her husband grow in the Lord!" I love it! I can't wait to see the intricate ways God will continue to make Himself known in these couples lives over the next few days and weeks and hopefully much longer! I do want to keep praying for them and for us!


Our session was called "Working in Your Fields", and we paralleled a marriage to a garden. In our message, the soil represented our relationship with the Lord and the importance of Him being our foundation, the focus of our marriage. The Seeds were what you sow into your marriage, good or bad, love vs. hatred, communication and honesty vs. neglect and lying. Weeding is kind of obvious- keeping out predators; keeping the enemy from devouring your family! And another important part; tending to the garden God has given you! Spend time with your family! Be thankful for them! Take seriously the responsibility and opportunity that the Lord has given you!


Just a sort of encouragement to you, because you may not have been there for this awesome time. If you have a marriage that looks hopeless, because of sin or suffering or something that the enemy is trying to use against you... have hope! Go to the Lord! Repent if it's sin, and be thankful that God loves you guys and wants to restore what's been broken- plowing up the garden to make it better! On the other hand, if things are going well and you love your spouse with all your heart and have a growing and wonderful relationship, protect your garden! Keep the weeds out and keep planting seeds of love! Ask God for grace to sustain you.

He is Faithful

This weekend I'm reminded of God's faithfulness! I've been reading, very slowly, through the Bible for the past couple of months, taking my time to really understand each thing I'm reading. I've picked up on details that I've never noticed before, by reading this way.

I was reading in Exodus and I had so much to discuss with my husband. :) (Those who know me well, know that I always ask questions! I love to learn and I'm just curious!) He doesn't always know the answers either but it's fun to discuss it all with him! Here's an example of what God's been teaching me!

Back in Genesis, God tells Abraham that his descendants will be enslaved for 400 years! Can you imagine?

So...in Exodus, it happens. Abraham had so many relatives that it worried the Egyptians. They knew the Hebrews were more and mightier than they were! It just seems strange to me how they were overtaken by this other people group. And maybe the Hebrews didn't know this would happen. Maybe they did. Didn't they have some sort of history scroll? ha ha Or parchment or stone?(Can't remember what they used in those early days.) They must not have known this would happen or their mighty men would do something to stop it, right? The Egyptians took over and made them slaves. Is it really that easy to be in control of other people?? Well, the Hebrew people were living in Egypt. They weren't Egyptians, so I imagine they were just honored guests that turned into slaves conveniently for the Egyptians. Here they just live normal lives and then the next day (or days), their lives are totally changed, most likely to them it seemed it was for the worse. It says in Ex. 1:14 that the Egyptians "made their lives bitter with hard labor..."But to God, it was in His plans. He was not shocked! He knew that this day would happen, and He knew when the exact day was too!!

Does is seem similar to other times in history when large people groups were taken over or where there was much hopelessness? Jews, again during the holocaust were treated so badly. And as time gets closer to the return of Jesus, sadly, the world is not becoming a better place. It's getting harder and harder for many people! Basic morality is crumbling, life is not thought of as sacred, and families are being persuaded to exchange good for bad. There are fears for jobs, food, homes, and our health and the possibility of not even having any say in your own life and choices. How hopeless is all of that?!

Does God know about this day? Does God know that there are people suffering?

Of course He does! Is He is also calling us to live more simply, wisely and Godly? I think so. I can't imagine life without the hope of Jesus Christ though, I'll tell you that!! In our family right now, we're just pluggin' along but there have been difficult times in the past. God knew about each one of these and He has been SO faithful to take care of us. If you feel worried about things that may come about in your life, or that are already happening; whether it's a loss, pain, money, marriage or worry about your kids- Cry out to Jesus! And know that He knows!! You don't have to be alone, going through something hard. We really shouldn't even be worrying!

"There is hope for the helpless, rest for the weary, and love for the broken heart. There is grace and forgiveness, mercy and healing; He'll meet you wherever you are! Cry out to Jesus!" (Lyrics from Third Day's song: Cry out to Jesus).

I'd just like to encourage anyone who feels like life is too much for them to handle. Actually, I believe it would be if I didn't have the Lord. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved!" You will be! Not saved from heartache in this life, but saved from going through it alone. Forgiven for your own sin ...loved and given another chance. If you already know the Lord, read the Word! Open it up and see what God wants you to know!

In Ex.3:7-8 it says, "And the Lord said, "Surely I have seen the affliction of My people who are in Egypt, and have given heed to their cry because of their taskmasters, for I am aware of their sufferings. So I have come down to deliver them from the power of the Egyptians, and to bring the up from that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey..."

Be encouraged!

Fun Day with Mom

Today mom called and asked if I wanted to go to a thrift store and Uncovered Ruby. So with my sister watching the children, and Derek getting the daytime off, we took off for Battleground and Camas.

Backtracking a little, I'm feeling a little- congested and just... loopy. After cleaning the whirlwind mess of a sewing room that I have, my nostrils inhaled too many fabric fibers. :) If I felt better, it could have been even MORE enjoyable! Nevertheless, we had a great time talking about how we would fix the world! hahaha

Our first stop was Uncovered Ruby but to our dismay, they weren't open. Bummer. I'm not sure if we would have be able to see Lisa anyway but, they are closed on Mondays. Oops!

So, we found a few Goodwill stores (that seemed outrageously priced to me!). I spotted a Pampered Chef can opener for mom! (It's ok, I too know that you can get super cheap deals on PC at Goodwill! haha Grab it! I would!) The one and only- Pampered Chef Can Opener. If you don't have one- you need one!

This is just one of many OLD recipes I've collected. I can see it! On my wall!

Next destination: Camas Antiques. O man! I'm inspired.... just not sure what Derek will think about old cookbook pages glued onto my dining room wall! LOL It's been in the remodeling process for 3 years now so, anything's better than bare flat walls! ...right? Wouldn't that be neat? I believe that vendor has pictures on her blog... There were so many adorable things! The treasures that catch my eye are kitchen ANYTHING, sheer white baby/toddler antique clothes and antique/vintage clothing and the decorating ideas!

I found this dress at the Goodwill. I REALLY hope it fits because I want it for ME! With a thin red vinyl belt and my pearls...ahhhh. OH, and maybe red shoes?? (It needs washed.. that's why it's on the floor!)

Our shopping ended with the Goodwill "pound store" in Vancouver AKA Goodwill Outlet Store. We closed the place down! I found two curtain panels in soft old pastels for my 2 year-old's room and mom found some wool for making hats.

Isn't this beautiful? It's hard to tell in this picture but it's the old pinks and blues and yellows.

We had Fish and Chips at Burgerville (my favorite for fast food) and then I drove us home to collect my little darlings and tuck them in for the night.

Our children... I love them!

It was a good day. An adventerous, can't-find-where-we-want-to-go kind of day but with a full tank of gas and time, we had a great time, didn't we Mom?

Ps. Mom,did you know that the boys dug a "Sea Pond" out in the Horse's pasture in the grassy swamp area while we were off shopping? Just checkin! ;)

January Thoughts

As you're reading, enjoy the photos of the "paper" doll I made for my daughter this Christmas...


This is my daughter's favorite outfit!
Here's the little kitty.
And here's where you can see how she works: Velcro.
Here's her Sunday dress and shoes.

Here's her swimming suit and party dress!

Gotta have Footie PJ's and a summer dress..

It's a cozy day for us at home. I woke up to very warm and cozy wood stove heat, which means my husband thought of us before he left for work. ahh nice guy.

I'm feeling kind of ...like I'm anticipating something. Maybe it's just winter melting into spring (after few more months), maybe it's getting organized after the holidays, maybe it's making plans and goals for my business, health, weight and home stuff. Who knows! I'm hoping it's because of what God will be doing in our family. This week has been a milestone for me. I'm -finally -willingly allowing my heart to sacrifice a dream, in order to obey God and really be open to what He wants for our family. It always seems hard until you make the step, then when you're willing to "let go" it's almost easier. I breathe deeper, feel more peaceful and become excited to see God's plans unfold because they are not mine. I love this place. God is my Lord. He is in control of my life, I might as well surrender! LOL

I'm kind of late for resolutions but maybe if I start them now, I'll keep momentum for a little while longer than usual. In general they are (what they are every year): to do better! (Eating-lifestyle choices, relationships, discipline, organization, time- priorities). Even if I can't keep my resolution for a lengthy time, it's always good for me to step back and evaluate my life to see where it is and where it should be.

Is it because I'm past the 30-year mark, that I'm beginning to see glimpses of myself the way other's see me? That alone makes me want to stick to my resolutions!! haha Not because I need to compete with someone else or even to attain to their standard but ... we all appear differently than we mean to at some point, right? My heart is that I want to be a kind, compassionate person who displays and lives out the fruits of the spirit (love, joy, peacefulness, kindness, self-control, perseverance.... is that all of them?) But I miss the mark so many times and may come across to some as not having that heart at all. That's sad.

Well, thankfully I'm a growing branch!! I get pruned and trimmed down as the Holy Spirit works in me. I love that. I do not have to be perfect (in myself), just complete (in Him). I'm just living and doing by faith and grateful that He will perfect these things in me!