Short stick, belly fat, Mr. 5 wears a hat!

I haven't written a humorous post in quite sometime. If I don't laugh about this one, I'll cry...

"Short stick, belly fat, Mr. five wears a hat." That is how I have taught four out of our five cuties how to draw a "5." Little did I know Jay was going to be practicing this technique by scratching his fives on to the leather couch! They actually compliment the dry erase marks Charlie added at Easter. Three separate but equal cushions. You can't really notice it, if the lights are off and it's night time or if you are blind and I bet you couldn't see it from Google Map's Satellite. Charlie made a "V" on one cushion, an "O" on another and a "snake" with three polka dots. I am seriously considering giving all the kids a black marker and letting them try to turn it into a work of art? If this happens I will post pics!

Friends! Food! Fun!

The Hospital has a fundraiser every Spring and for the past two years Brady has bought a Cooking class. It is so fun having a party and not cooking a thing until the guests arrive! This year Brady invited his great friend Jon.
My sweet friend Esther, she and her husband are moving this summer. We are so sad. Anyone know an Internist who wants to move to our town?
We had Cheesecake stuffed Strawberries, YUMMM. Brady Joe, I LOVE cooking with you! Did I mention, ALL the kids spent the night with Mimi, thank you Mimi!
Jon and Adrian enjoy eating as much as we do. No wonder we are such good friends!
Our Apron Picture, Riley made the one I was wearing!
Thank you Dave and Deb Schwarz! The food was fabulous, we loved all your recipes!
Here is what we helped them make.....

Pinot Gris - Prickly Pear Sorbet
Crab Cakes with a Remoulade Sauce
Ribs with Black Vinegar Sauce
Thai Curry Chicken Salad in Phyllo Cups
Asparagus with Lemon-Tarragon Dipping Sauce (can't wait to try this with our wild Asparagus)
Marinated Shrimp
Cucumbers with Salmon Mousse
Ham, Gruyre, and Dijon Palmiers

Playgroup Birthday Party!

I think I'm getting lazy in my old age, at least I'm not the only one. My playgroup decided to have a "Spring" birthday party for our four four-year-old boys turning five. We all had a great time! One set of cupcakes, one set of hats, one party, four birthdays - DONE!
This is the best picture our playgroup has ever taken!! Don't worry I had a hair appointment that afternoon and got bangs! For some reason this group of moms cannot take a cute picture! Maybe it is because the photographer is four!

Here is a small part of the big whole! Collectively, we have fifteen kids and two more on the way!

Frayed!

I have been listening to The Fray's new CD "The Fray" lately. I think it defines how I am feeling right now. Frayed! Things feel as if they are unraveling. I know that God has a plan for me and my family and our future. I know He has carried me through the past 36 and a half years. But, I can't help but feel like times are a changin.' Will my eyes see what my grandparents eyes saw? "The Depression" I'm not sure when the turning point came. Maybe it was when we started paying $3.50 for a cup of coffee, maybe it was when we started watching reality TV. Maybe it was when we started watching TV?!? Have we become such a spoiled, self-indulgent nation that God will eventually say - ENOUGH!!!!

I am not afrayed, just frayed. The small things are getting to me but, there have been some big things as well. Yesterday we found out that one of Riley's classmates was killed in a suicidal car wreck. At the beginning of this year another one of her classmates shot herself. It has been extremely difficult trying to explain these things when I don't fully understand them myself. Please keep this eighth grade class in your prayers. I prayed with Riley last night that they would know their value. That they would stop believing the lies the enemy tells them. I also pray that God would do a mighty work in the lives of this class, bringing many more to a saving faith because of these attacks.

8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. 2 Corinthians 4:8 and 9