My New Bible Organizer Cover!

 I went searching yesterday for a bible cover. I didn't want just any bible cover...I wanted something that was chic and shabby! Well, I went to Wal-Mart, Christian Book Outlet, Lifeway, Barnes and Noble, and Borders. I couldn't find anything that I liked. Well, I did find a cute cover at Christian Book Outlet, but it didn't fit my bible. Figures! I really loved it. If you are interested in a chic bible/book cover. Check out www.ruthmichael.com

Once I have something in my mind...I'm bull-headed. There's no changing my mind! So, today I got up and decided to try Wal-Mart in Rogers. They didn't have any bible covers. I then went to Hobby Lobby and decided to make my own. However I couldn't find the fabric I liked at Hobby Lobby. So, I went back to Christian Book Outlet and found a plain black cover that fit my bible. I decided I could easily fancy it up, so I then headed back to Wal-Mart, this time in Bentonville and bought this turquoise ribbon with black dots and black buttons. I used an iron-on adhesive to apply the ribbon and black button to the cover I purchased. 
This is a better picture of the turquoise color in the ribbon I added. I really like this bible organizer cover I bought...especially with the embellishments I applied. 

Fun-Filled Friday!

My mom and brother traveled from Memphis to visit us this weekend. They arrived here lastnight during the middle of "Private Practice". We are planning on having a fun-filled day today while the girls are at school and while my wonderful husband is at work providing for his family. ...Thank You Honey for all that you do, I wish you could be hangin with us today! I love you.

We are going to go eat lunch, shop, relax and catch up. Really, I talk to my mom SEVERAL times a DAY. If I didn't she would freak out and drive up here to see what was going on with us. So, to save her the time of driving 6 hours and freaking out along the way and to save me the lecture of not answering my phone and the freaking out...or as she used to say when I was small..."I'm gonna build a shoe shop up your butt." I'd rather call each morning. Yes, I would say she is a little over-protective, Actually, she calls for her only grand children, Olivia and Ally. She is in love with them. I can't tell you how many times I hear..."Please watch their hands when you get in the car,,,don't slam the door on their fingers." Ok Mom!

She has a phobia over closing fingers in doors. One morning, when I was small, she accidentally slammed my fingers in the car door. As if that wasn't enough, she pulled me out of the car in horror of what she had done and swung me around in the front yard like a rag doll. The neighbor heard all the screaming and comotion and couldn't get his pants on fast enough and out his front door to see what was going on with us. I thought he was going to fall down his porch steps or have a heart attack. It wasn't a hoot then, I was really dizzy and my fingers hurt. She had scrambled my eggs. I couldn't decide which ache to think about.

Oh Yes, I could tell you many more stories like that! I'll save the embarrassment for my mom.

We, as parents try our best to raise wonderful children. Mom, God just really had to intervene to help you with us!

I lead the 1st graders in a program this morning at school. They are so cute! Our program was called "Let It Snow" All the kids had a speaking part. I choreographed movements to the song "Let It Snow" They wore scarves and winter hats and threw up snow (cottonballs). That didn't sound right, they didn't throw up; like puke. Their hands threw the snow up in the air! They recited 3 winter poems; "Snowball", "Poor Mr. Snowman" and "The Impatient Snowman". They did a wonderful job. My mom and brother came to see the program at school because Ally was in it. They saw her "SHINE" on stage. Way to go, Ally!

Happy Birthday Paige!

Today is my sister-in-law's birthday. Paige, I hope you have a wonderful Birthday. We love you and pray blessings on your special day.

"You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed."

Psalm 139: 13, 15, 16

Sneaky, Sneaky, Olivia!

I knew there would come a day when the girls or a specific girl (Olivia) would learn how to work the TV remote and rule our house forever!  

The girls were out of school Monday in celebration of President's day. They decided to have a day of relaxation. They jumped in my bed and watched the Disney Channel on Tv all day. Now let me stop and say, I realize that is not healthy but I had my monthly visitor and was glad they were being "good" girls! I praised them all day for letting mommy rest and was so excited they didn't argue with each other or (this is more like it) rip each other's head off over what they were going to watch together. 

Later that night, Paul  and I went to bed. We have shows that we record on the DVR in our room that we watch together after putting the girls to bed. He (of course he, I never get the remote) took the remote and pushed "list" on the remote to see which show we hadn't seen. Well,  low and behold...there were 58 shows recorded on our DVR. Yes, you guessed it...that sneaky, sneaky, Olivia had recorded 58 shows that day. I was ready to scroll down and see some our choices of shows to watch for the night. They were...

The Bonnie Hunt Show

The Price is Right

Hannah Montana (a ton of them)

The Suite Life of Zack and Cody (a ton, ton, ton of them)

Needless to say...Paul erased all of them. I didn't even get my pick...I had to watch some guy show of "How it's made" or wait, maybe it was "Destroyed in Seconds." Anyhoo, I was amazed at that sneaky Poo! It's time to install parental controls on our Tv and Remotes! I'll make it possible! There may be some rebelling going on in our house... Guard YOUR remotes! 

Happy Valentine's Day

I have to tell you, I am such a perfectionist in my writing that I have editted all the word mistakes in this post 9 times all ready...Whew! The best is at the bottom but, don't cheat read the whole thing through!
We had a great Valentine's day. It didn't exactly go the way I had planned but that is ok. This is a game I came up with for the girls. I call it "Valentine Scavenger Hunt" I came up with 15 different valentine clues, I hid the Valentine's and the girls had to go hunting for them. Kind of like easter egg hunting! Some of the clues are: "A Valentine shaped as a butterfly, A Valentine with Smiley faces on it". To add a more homemade touch I used a die cut and cut the hearts, elephant, butterfly, car, etc. I'm somewhat a perfectionist. I wanted all my hearts to be the same size! You can cut your own out if you'd prefer.

Breakfast was delicious this morning. Sausage, Cheese rollups are a big hit at my house. I use 1 can crescent rolls, 7 sausage patties, 4 oz cream cheese. Preheat oven to 375. Cook sausage,crumble, drain, add cream cheese and mix together. Unroll crescent rolls, place enough mixture and roll up. Place on ungreased cookie sheet and bake about 12 minutes. I serve it with fresh fruit (strawberries, bananas, peaches, apples and oranges) I came up with the rollups years ago when I wanted something new other than sausage and biscuit. I threw rose petals on the table for breakfast this morning. Paul and the girls loved the extra touch!
Ally made this beautiful picture for Paul and me for Valentine's Day! Olivia gave us Dove Chocolates...We love our babies!

The girls enjoyed their Valentine from us...Bears with Kisses 

The best present of all that I received today was a Maytag 2 drawer stainless steel dishwasher. It is so quiet...I cringe at spending money, but this is well worth the $900. And that was a deal, it sells for $1500! My 1st priority in getting a new dishwasher was how quiet it is...Our family room and kitchen are open together. I could never run the dishwasher until we all went to bed.  It was always louder than our TV. Paul installed the dishwasher and I couldn't wait to start a cycle of dishes. It is absolutely better than a Bosch! I love it. 

I had planned to cook a nice candlelight dinner tonight, but I've had a stomach bug the last few days and Olivia has been feeling nauseated today. So, we are postponing the candlelight dinner for Monday night. I love you all. Hope you had a great Valentine's day as well!

My Weary Child

With around 800 people being laid off from the Wal-Mart Home Office this week. I think all of us are feeling the burden of what this is going to do to our town and the many families who live here. These families who are left shocked by the reality of what they thought was some form of security. My heart is burdened for these families. There is one thing I KNOW...God is All Powerful and Sovereign. His time table is PERFECT!

I keep a poem in my quiet room and often look at it when I need reassurance that God is with me. A friend of my mom's wrote this poem for her and my step-father when they were going through a tough trial in their lives. I feel it very appropriate for all us to ponder on...

My Weary Child

As I look down my child, I see your troubled mind; bent with such confusion and peace you can't seem to find. I see you every morning my child, as you cry so many tears; but if you'll just keep pressing onward, I'll erase your every fear. Now I've seen you my beloved one, and your broken heart; and I've made every step you've made, right from the very start. I've seen every tear you cried, and caught each and every one; and I'll send them back as tears of joy, when this trial is done. Please don't think I've forgotten you, oh my blessed one; for you're just as loved as my other child Jesus...My Only Begotten Son. So just keep pressing onward, and seek me every day; For I am the "Great I Am", and I love you in a very special way. 

We as believers in Christ Jesus cling to Him in these times. I'm not worried about the future because I know He is in charge. He is Sovereign! There is nothing that is going to happen in my life today that God and I can't handle together. God has grown my faith over the years. I'm not a worrier because God has never let me down and I know He never will. He is constant and true, never changing. Dr. Adrian Rogers would say "Worry looks at God through circumstances. Peace looks at circumstances through God." Worry is an admission that I'm putting something before God."

I will trust Him at all times. He has delivered me from all fears. He has set my feet upon a rock. I will not be moved. And I'll say of the Lord...

You are My Shield, My Strength, My Portion, Deliverer, My Shelter, Strong Tower, My very present help in time of Need!

Freshly Baked Bread

Since I lost most all of my weight, I haven't baked fresh bread. I love it too much! Olivia loves bread too! I decided today to bake a wonderful fresh loaf of bread for me and the girls. They are home this week for intercession. Ally is not a bread eater but, she loves O'Charley's rolls... Who doesn't? She loves to flatten the roll like a pancake, then eat it. She has been known to fill her belly with 5 rolls in one sitting at O'Charley's. She will not eat bread/ rolls any where else. I'm serious.

Well, I just got an "A" approval from the one who is very picky when it comes to bread. That can be a very good thing not to like bread! Life is too short and with the recession coming on I may not be able in the future to have money to make bread. So, I'm enjoying it today.

Doesn't it look delicious? It is cooling just as I type this post. I can't wait to slice a piece and smother it in butter. Paula Deen, you would be proud! There is nothing quite like fresh, hot bread melting in your mouth! Yum!

Valentine Parties

The girls had their Valentine parties today at school. Olivia's party started at 1:45 and Ally's party started at 2:00. Somehow Olivia and Camryn her best friend didn't hear the rest of their class come in from recess. They missed 15 minutes of the party...Camryn's mom and I went to find them after 7 minutes or so of waiting and wondering where they were. We knew they were up to something. Their teacher Ms. Brown was not happy yesterday because they were talking in class and passing notes! Yea! I was so excited that Olivia was being social and had a friend to have fun with. Anyway, I was running back and forth to both of the girls parties to show both of them that I loved them bunches!

Jack, the little boy in the red shirt took a picture of Ally with his mother's Iphone. She must look pretty in the picture ...cause he is smiling:)

Little Drama Queen posing for her picture at her Valentine party at school.

Olivia and Cami (Camryn) her BEST FRIEND at their Valentine party at school.
Olivia "enjoying" her sprite!

The girls are out of school next week for a break. Yea! We get to stay home in our pajamas and sleep late. I'm sure we will play school together.

For Valentines Day next Saturday night I am cooking a nice candlelight dinner for the family. Then the girls are going to have a Valentine scavenger hunt. I found a cute game sheet for them to find Valentine treasures around the house. Should be a fun night...I'm looking forward to it.

Oh the memories we make with our family!

1st Place Award; High Honor

I went to Ally's school award assembly today. I knew she would be receiving an award for "A" honor roll but I was pleasantly surprised to see that she had won 1st place as an Awesome Author out of all the 1st graders. All first graders were given the topic "Winter" to write about. Then several judges read all the writings (150 or so) and picked the best for first grade. Ally was awarded 1st place! The only thing I could say when they called her name to receive this award was "Thank you God" and I continued to repeat it over and over, realizing all the blessings He gives me. I am so blessed to have this highly gifted child. Ally was so excited to receive this award her eyes flooded with tears, well mine did too. I was having a hard time holding them in...Ms Davis her teacher didn't know who would receive the award. When she heard "Ally Patrick for 1st place" She was cheering and thrilled just as much as I was. I received many compliments from other parents saying "Wow! You have a writer, Watch out New York Times." Parents complimented her and told her she did a great job.  I don't have a picture of her writing paper yet. It will be posted for all the school to see. Once it is posted on the wall,  I will grab a picture of our "Awesome Author Ally" with her "Awesome" Paper and post it to the blog. I can't wait to see it!

This is Alex and Ally. Alex is one of the boys in Ally's class that is fond of her. He insisted I take a picture of them together. You can see the delight on his face... How cute!

Ally, I am so proud of you for always doing your best. You never know who is watching you and learning from you. Great Job! I love you! Mom

Downtown Chicago is Beautiful

The view looking from the east side of The Field Museum. You can see lake Michigan in the background.
Icy lake Michigan

This is a picture of us about to go through the underground highway. It was so awesome. It is a highway with red lights underground. I was so amazed and intrigued by this.
This was also amazing. This picture was taken Downtown Chicago. Look at the way they park there cars in this garage. They back them up! When you are there looking at this...it is so scary. It looks as if you would plummet into the ground below. You probably can't tell from the picture but, it is a very tall parking garage. 
Iced over lake Michigan. Truely captivating!

I think this picture speaks for itself. It is the Downtown Chicago theatre.

This picture was taken from The Field Museum...Downtown Chicago in the view of Lake Michigan. The lake is so large it truely looks like the ocean. It is spectacular. 
Looking up at The Sears Tower. To go to the top of the building it cost $15 per person. We took pictures of the skyline from The Field Museum which were great and saved our $60 we would have spent on the Sears Tower. 
Going into the Downtown looking at Sears Tower.
Downtown Chicago...lake Michigan was frozen. It was 10 degrees and the wind was blowing so hard it felt -25. 

We enjoyed the Field Museum and seeing downtown. I would have loved to go to the Navy Pier to shop. But it was to cold. They have a lot of outside malls. Isn't that amazing, considering it's so cold there? You can tell the cold doesn't affect them like us. We were all hunkered down in our coats layered like zombies...You could definently tell we were tourist. In my opinion, Chicago's food isn't any better than we have in Arkansas. As far as the scenery coming into Chicago...I definently didn't think it would look like Kansas. It does! 

If you come to Chicago you will want to stay downtown and find attraction downtown. Also, pick a warm time to visit. The time of year impacts your stay. We may come back next year when it is warm so we can enjoy the lake more and outside attractions.