Allyson's "Rules"

This evening, Allyson brought Kevin and I a list of her room's rules(as she called it) for Kaleb and Travis to follow. It was quite comical...so, I thought I would share:

1. No wild in my room.
2. My room is a sample.
3. Don't throw garbage in my room.
4. Do not jump on my bed.
5. Do not put stuff under my bed.
6. Knock on the door before you come in.
7. Don't throw toys from downstairs into my room.
8. Ask me before getting a book down.
9. Do not come in without slipping a note under the door.
10. Do not throw stuff at me.
11. Do not interrupt during school.

Helping will not stop!!! Please do not do anything bad. This is signed for good!!!! Do not kill!!!!!

Moments. Take a look.

(turn up your volume)

A day with Mera shopping

I love following Mera around in the stores when  we go shopping; she thinks every store is a  playground. All she needed was a slide and a swing.

Foxe's Book of Martyrs

Eric and I have just started reading this book. We were curious to see if any of you all have read it and if so, what your thoughts are about it.

some awesome t-shirt designs

Sunday visit

This family is one of our very good friends. We went over to their house last sunday. They have five kids and all of them love playing with meradeth. One of the boys put his gun holster on meradeth and then their only girl had a tea party with meradeth. She was dressing meradeth up in different outfits and fixing her hair. She almost cried when we had to leave and asked if we could leave meradeth with her.

A hankerin' for...?

Well, if I have to endure through these long Iowa winters and frigid temperatures, I at least desire the view outside to be charming. For instance, I fancy the dead frozen ground being overlaid with a blanket of pure white clean snow. We did have that last Friday...these pictures prove it.

However this Friday, we're back to the same ol' dull brown cold ground. I never imagined I would wish for snow...but I do. :)

Happy Birthday to my HERO!

Tomorrow marks the birthday of the most dedicated Christian man, magnificent father, exemplary husband, and...my HERO. His wife, three daughters, and son of course already know these things; however, because one of the most notable qualities of my father is humbleness and meekness, his wonderful Godly character isn't talked about enough. As Kristin said...when I begin thinking about my father's Godly heritage, I begin to cry in appreciation for him.
I know my father would not like for me to exalt him or tell ALL of the SO many things he has done for the Lord, so I will not...too much. :)
He has faithfully served every possible way in the church...from deacon, to bus worker, to church treasurer, to Sunday school teacher, and many many other things. I remember my father taking me with him door-to-door witnessing/soul-winning and driving us kids to store parking lots on many Saturday mornings to put tracts on every car in the lot. I have never seen my father leave the house without gospel tracts in his shirt pocket. I could fill up a book with all the stories of lives my father has impacted and led to the Lord. For an example, my father recently received an email from a man he used to work with over 20 years ago. This man wrote to my father to thank him for witnessing to him so long ago and planting the seed and not giving up on him...because eventually he DID turn his life over to Jesus Christ, got saved and has been serving in his local church ever since. My father has a heart and burden for missionaries and has worked behind the scenes to help so many of them. The story of how MY father came to accept Jesus Christ as his personal Savior has been featured on a radio program called “Unshackled!”. It is a radio ministry that began in the year 1950 out of Pacific Garden Mission in Chicago. This radio ministry tells the true stories of people's lives and how they accepted Jesus Christ and got saved. In 1950, the first story featured on this radio program “Unshackled!” was Billy Sunday's.
I love you, Daddy. Thank you.
Happy Birthday!

True Hero on the Titanic

Our preacher told us this story of a man named John Harper. I had never heard of him or this story before. If you have not heard of him, I suggest you read it. Moody Bible Institute has a book about him that I have ordered. This link will take you a brief synopsis of him and his life. http://www.blessedquietness.com/journal/housechu/harper.htm

love rainbows

We are getting some nice rain this week,and today we had hail, but I love when we get rainbows . Gives us a reminder of Gods covenant with us.

I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.

Geneses 9:13

God is so good to us!

The Mad Professor

I had put meradeth's hair up in pigtails and one pigtail on top. Well, she was playing and Kevin and I turned around and she had pulled all the pigtails out. This is what she looked like. We couldn't stop laughing.

Yield: about 2 quarts

Chicken Asparagus Soup

2 lbs. thin fresh asparagus
2 large potatoes, peeled & diced
1 large onion, chopped
2 celery ribs, chopped
1 medium carrot, chopped
2 tsp. dried parsley
1 garlic clove, minced
2 tbs. veg oil
2 cans(141/2 oz.) chicken broth
Salt and pepper to taste
1 bay leaf
2 cups cubed cooked chicken
2 cups half-&-half cream
Shaved Parmesan cheese, optional
Cut tips from asparagus spears; set aside. Place stalks in a large skillet; cover w/water. Bring to a boil. Reduce hear; cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Strain, reserving 4 cups cooking liquid. Discard stalks.
In a Dutch oven, saute the potatoes, onion, celery, carrot, parsley and garlic in oil until vegetables are tender. Stir in the broth, salt, pepper, bay leaf and reserved cooking liquid. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes. Discard bay leaf. Cool slightly.
In a blender, cover and puree soup in batches until smooth. Return to the pan. Add the chicken, cream, and reserved asparagus tips. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until asparagus is tender. Garnish w/Parmesan cheese if desired.

I came across this recipe in my Taste of Home magazine. I made it yesterday for supper; and then after telling Mama about it, she requested I put it on the blog. This soup is very good...Kevin and I had never tasted soup broth as good as this one!

The good and the bad Tuesday

The day started out w/our noses in the school books. Everyone received Valentines cards from Mrs. Barbara in the mail. Here they are eagerly opening them...

Then everyone but Kaleb(he hasn't been feeling well) went outside to enjoy the marvelous weather we are having in Iowa. This thermometer is in the shade...it was in the 60s today.

Travis had fun playing w/sticks and in the mud.

Then because it was SO warm outside, we thought it would be appropriate to have some ice cream. :) Allyson brought out her book from Grandmother called The Ultimate Book of Kid Concoctions. We took turns shaking the bag to harden the cream...the results were a big success!

Around 1:00, Kaleb became more ill. So, I took him in to see the doctor...he has strep throat. During the doctor visit, Allyson occupied herself w/playing games on my cell phone.

And now we are back home, and I'm preparing supper...Turkey Primavera.

Travis and...

Kevin's mom Sandi emailed us tonight this photo of Kevin. I couldn't believe what I was seeing when I saw the picture! There is about 1 year difference in their ages here...

Saturday and Sunday

Last weekend on Saturday, we had some glorious Spring-like weather! ...in the mid 40s! So like hibernating bears, we went outside to enjoy some fresh air. Allyson brought Jane outside for her first adventure in the great outdoors...and where did the kitten go? ...you guessed it, up a tree! If you find the red arrow I put on the picture below, you will spot Allyson trying to rescue her Jane from the tall pine tree.

Yesterday, we spent the afternoon between church services at the Graber's. Of course, that is Allyson's best friend Anna's family. Marian cooked us a delicious meal, and the men relaxed in the recliners. The whole crew...Amos, Anna, Allyson, Adam, and Kaleb(Abby and Travis are too small to join in w/the little ones yet) had fun playing outside on the Graber's large farm and having a tea party in the picture below in which Anna and Allyson served as the perfect hostesses. :)

Fun Day in St. Augustine

We spent the day in St. Augustine --- walked around, ate lunch, and went to the Alligator Farm. I will put more pictures up on Shutterfly. We had sooooo much fun! And for dinner when we got back, I had a crockpot full of Candace's absolutely delicious chicken stuff FILLED with mushrooms! What a scrumptious recipe, Candace. I will definitely be making that a lot.

Todays weather

Thought you all would like to see the nice weather we are having out here in California. We finally get some rain. I like the first photo with the clouds and moon, it make me think of Exodus 13:21,22.

 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud, to lead them the way; and by night in a pillar of fire, to give them light; to go by day and night:

22 He took not away the pillar of the cloud by day, nor the pillar of fire by night, from before the people.

Travis' many faces

We went to the library this afternoon. Travis enjoyed stacking blocks while Kaleb, Mama, and Allyson looked at books.

Allyson's pics

These are the latest of Allyson's photography work...Travis' mouth, the view of a passing farm house and cows while riding in the van, and Daddy driving.

THIS PICTURE IS FOR MRS. CANNON

I miss you so much. I always think about the wonderful times I had with you at your house and when you would take me out to eat. I remember you would always give me money and candy. But I mostly liked spending time with you because we both got along so well. I love you alot and wish I could see you. I am praying for you too...

Our relatives

This is my Uncle Dan...Daddy's younger brother. He is from North Carolina where many of my relatives live...including both sets of grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Kevin took this picture of Uncle Dan and his guns during his FIRST meeting of all my mountain relatives. :) Allyson was about six months old.

Parting of the Red Sea-One of the earliest photos found

This was taken by Michael while he helped hold Pharoah's army back. He was using a Nikon. Gabrial took one too, but his camera was a Canon and the photo came out fuzzy.

Our date

A relaxing stop at Barnes & Noble Bookstore for some coffee and reading. We also did some shopping, took a drive in the countryside and saw some picturesque scenery and wildlife, and dined at Red Lobster. We give thanks to God for such a perfectly marvelous day!

The kids stayed busy building this snowman at Papa and Grandma's on Saturday while Daddy and Mama were on their date. I think Travis knocked the head off right before I took this picture. :)