ABOUT US

My photo
Kansas, United States
This started out as a blog about our domestic adoption. So all of the older posts are about that journey. It was an interesting one, and it led us to our son, Jacob. My dream since I was a little girl was typical of most little girls. I wanted to get married, and have children and be a stay at home Mom. Although, not a very popular choice for a profession now a day, I find it very rewarding. As a matter of fact, every day is an adventure! I've been told personally that the stay at home Mom profession isn't 'work', but spend a day with me and you'll see just how much 'work' it is!!! It's blessed work!

Monday, September 17, 2012

A 2 Year Old Birthday Party

                                          Jake's favorite breakfast for his birthday.
                                          A little cake & ice cream for our little family celebration.
                                          They like cake!
                                          Farm animal puzzle!
                                             Our little family 9/14/2012
                                          Loot "boxes" filled with lots of goodies.
                                           The plasticware
                                                     He loved the blowers.
                                           The party-goers.
                                                     Daddy the Master Griller!
                                                     Sifting the sand for buried treasure!
                                           Beverage & Dessert table
                                                     The mountain cake
                                           Dig Zone
                                           Jake & Whitney
                                            Sage, Jake & Whitney
                                            Embarassed when everyone was singing to him.
                                           The food table


                                                     Papa & Jake
                                                     No nap makes for a tired little guest of honor.

                                           He's 2!!!!
                                           Panning for some gold
                                            He loves his Daddy
                                           Party favors for the kiddos!
                                          Truck facials to cover the baskets for the chips
                                           Table decor
                                           Plates
   
     I had no idea how much fun it can be planning a child's birthday party! I've enjoyed planning a Church event or two, but it's really rewarding to plan something for your child and then see them have a good time doing whatever you planned.
     This was the case Saturday, for Jacob's 2nd birthday party. My Husband picked the theme, "Things that Dig" because he and Jake's favorite hobby is metal detecting and digging things out of the yard (101 coins so far this year-plus other trinkets & junk). I have a friend who also has a cricut machine and she has close to 100 cartridges (compared to my measly 9) so she lent me whatever cartridges I wanted. I had the most fun cutting and pasting dump truck shapes, putting together gable boxes for the loot "bags", making signs and banners. Then we decided as an activity we would put sand in his little used plastic swimming pool and bury some things for the kids to find. I was going to buy fake gold coins and bury them, but it turned into pennies, then pocket change, then Hubby bought Presidential coins off the internet and buried them. We didn't have to bury so much though because the kids kept digging them up and then burying them again. LOL crazy kids! My best friend brought her two girls for the party, so Jake, Sage and Whitney had a blast in the pool...as well as a few of the teenagers who were there. We did a simple cookout, to keep that part as easy as possible. My Mother-in-law made Jake's cake-a mountain with cake and construction guys on it. It was a hit!
     We are so thankful for family & friends who care about us and about Jake. Life wouldn't be the same without them!

Tuesday, September 4, 2012

The Lesson of the Tin Cup



     My family just came home from a South Dakota Adventure for our family vacation. We visited the western side of SD for around 8 days including the Black Hills, the Badlands, and of course, Mount Rushmore. Then for a few days we went to De Smet and visited the Ingalls homestead and toured all the "Laura" sites. While there, in our room at the most exquisite Bed & Breakfast in town, I took down the "Little House" books that were displayed on our private fireplace. I browsed through them thinking, "I wish I had re-read them before this part of our vacation adventure." I used to read them once or twice a year as a child. I really enjoyed them. I felt like I had a little bit of a kinship with Laura because I, too, lived in Wisconsin and encountered difficult winters. That's probably about where the similarities would stop. The next day, my dear Husband and almost two year old son, and I went to the Ingalls homestead and saw the prairie that inspired her books. We saw the well Pa dug, the house he built for Ma, the schoolhouse and Church that he helped built. We saw the dugout and the shanty. We spent a good deal of time doing all the activities, messing with the animals, and walking around. Then we went into the gift shop and I told my Hubby that I wanted to spend a little time in there as well. I walked around and one of the gifts there that you could buy was a little tin cup. Then I remembered the excerpt about the little tin cup. I've included it below for you to read:

"Something was shining bright in the top of Laura’s stocking. She squealed and jumped out of bed. So Did Mary, but Laura beat her to the fireplace. And the shining thing was a glittering new tin cup.
Mary had one exactly like it.
These new tin cups were their very own. Now they each had a cup to drink out of. Laura jumped up and down and shouted and laughed, but Mary stood still and looked with shining eyes at her own tin cup.
Then they plunged their hands into the stockings again. And they pulled out two long, long, sticks of candy. It was peppermint candy, striped red and white. They looked and looked at that beautiful candy, and Laura licked her stick, just one lick. But Mary was not so greedy. She didn’t even take one lick of her stick.
Those stockings weren’t empty yet. Mary and Laura pulled out two small packages. They unwrapped them, and each found a little heart-shaped cake. Over their delicate brown tops was sprinkled white sugar. The sparkling grains lay like tiny drifts of snow.
The cakes were too pretty to eat. Mary and Laura just looked at them. But at last Laura turned hers over, and she nibbled a tiny nibble from underneath, where it wouldn’t show. And the inside of that little cake was white!
It had been made of pure white flour, and sweetened with white sugar.
Laura and Mary never would have looked in their stockings again. The cups and the cakes and the candy were almost too much. They were too happy to speak. But Ma asked if they were sure the stockings were empty.
Then they put their arms down inside them, to make sure.
And in the very toe of each stocking was a shining bright, new penny!
They had never even thought of such a thing as having a penny. Think of having a whole penny for your very own. Think of having a cup and a cake and a stick of candy and a penny.
There never had been such a Christmas."

The gift shop had a little, shiny tin cup with a small square of fabric in it, a long stick of candy, a cookie and a shiny penny. I stopped and must of held and stared at it for a long time. How terribly commercialized our Christmas holiday has become. As a Parent, I know understand the feeling that you have to buy your child a bunch of toys and things to make them happy. I didn't want to fall into that, but I have nonetheless. Mary and Laura were SO EXCITED about their little, shiny tin cup! It was something they needed. In this day and age, how many of us have cupboards full of cups and other tableware? I know I have a bunch! They had to share a cup up until this point. They got their very own cup! and they were thrilled. They also got a few splurges...some sweets and a WHOLE penny to themselves.
     I wish I had bought that tin cup...to hang on my Christmas tree every year to remember. It's not what you get for Christmas that matters, first of all, it's WHO you have in your heart and WHO you are spending your holidays with. I hope I really try to remember this this Christmas. I think I'm going to go on the Ingalls Homestead gift shop site and order one of those tin cups....to remember. I think it will be a good lesson to teach my children over the years, when I'm asked, "Mom, why do we have a tin cup hanging on our tree?" It will give me an opportunity to teach about thankfulness and contentment. 

Thursday, August 9, 2012

JELLO centerpieces

I LOVE to craft! This was an idea I found on pinterest and my Pastor's wife asked me to make for an upcoming Ladies Meeting/Retreat. The mock up one I did, didn't turn out so hot, but practice makes perfect and I finally got them! Aren't they cute!!!! I modified the Pinterest recipe, so I'll post mine here.

2 Boxes of JELLO
water
paper or plastic flowers
clear vases

I make the jello just as the package instructs. Then pour it into your clean vases. Set in the refrigerator and check on them in 15 minute increments. When they are just set (you have a little resistance when you stick your finger or utensil in them) they are ready. Insert the flowers using kitchen tongs in whatever order/arrangement you desire. When they look the way you want them to, put them back in the refrigerator to finish setting up. I will take these out and set them up on the tables about 30 minutes before we eat. I will also add a bow to the vase.
I'm really pleased with how these turned out! You can use any color jello too, which is awesome!

Tuesday, July 24, 2012


I like Pinterest. If you have never been on there yet, you should try it unless you have no self-control at all. It's a bit addicting. I have several boards on there that I pin to frequently. I get ideas for the holidays, for educating Jake, for a new meal to try, and most of all for crafting. Pinterest has been awesome when it comes to crafting ideas. My latest was a tissue paper canvas. You take tissue paper and print on it. Yes, you heard me right, print on it...with your inkjet printer! I know! I was skeptical too, but I tried it and it worked!!! It was amazing! After you print on it, you let it dry, then you attach it to painters canvas using modge podge. It works beautifully, as you can see in the pic! You have to be SO GENTLE when you are applying the modge podge and it did tear the tissue just a little bit, but it was in a corner and I was able to fix it. I will attach the website here so you can see how to do it yourself. I've bought a canvas picture before of my adorable little boy, and it was pretty expensive. I thought I'd try this and I think I'll keep doing this instead. The only things I did differently than the original post, was that I used a picture done in sepia instead of the black and white/color. It turned out a lot better. My very first picture was in black and white and it ended up turning out half green and half black and white. I might play with my printer settings a little more to see if the saturation amount had much to do with it...but anyway...it wasn't usable. That's pretty much all I did differently. One of the comments on the website, said to use tracing paper so I bought a pad of that, but have not had a chance to try it. It should be a little sturdier as far as not tearing so bad when you modge podge it. We'll see. Anyway, it's a fun project and if you have some gift tissue laying around you might try it.
http://sarahsprojects.blogspot.com/2010/02/wall-art-for-siennas-room.html

Tuesday, July 10, 2012





I ran across this the other day on pinterest. I was instantly intrigued. My biggest goal with Jacob is to raise him in the 'nurture and admonition of the LORD'. I thought, 'what an interesting idea'. I pinned it, but then
went on my merry way. Later on, I was kicking myself for not investigating it further. I had a few questions. What version was this child training Bible was the main question. We only use the KJV, and it's not one that everyone uses anymore. I finally got around to investigating it and much to my surprise you can use it with any version. Now I know, I could take the time to make a list of all the desirable and undesirable qualities children exhibit. I could find verses for and against all of these characteristics I'm trying to either develop or do away with. I could even design my own system and print it out using one of my graphic programs. I might even save a few dollars doing it myself, although time-wise...well, I don't have as much time as I used to have. As I researched the product, I realized that they have done all the legwork on this. All the reviews say that it is printed on some nice glossy cardstock and looks very professional. So why would I want to do the same thing these dear people have done, just for the sake of doing it. I am usually a 'do it my-selfer'. I LOVE to make games, and charts to aid children in learning. This seems to already have it all. I ordered it this afternoon and am anxiously awaiting for it to come in the mail. I have all the other supplies listed on the website, with the exception of the Bible. I ordered that from christianbook.com and know that it will be here quickly as well. I will write a review on the product once I have it done. Without having seen it, I can already tell you that I will probably add a few things to it. Doctrines and practices that I have grown up with that I believe needs to be passed on to the next generation. BUT what a tool this Bible could be! To sit your child down (or for me...to sit down and turn to the appropriate Scriptures and give myself an attitude adjustment)! To teach your child that the Bible has the answers for every problem that you face day in and day out. To give your child the opportunity to learn to trust God and His Word for everything life throws at you! I can't wait to get my hands on this material and see what it can do for us! More later!

If you want to check what all the buzz is about here is their website:


Sunday, July 8, 2012



Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

I want to teach my son to be thankful and thoughtful. Since he was a little bitty baby, I would try to buy something for someone and have Jake give it to them. Today, I was at Walmart, hankering for some cake, and ran across these cupcakes. Knowing I didn't need six cupcakes around the house to tempt me any further, I decided that we would bring them tonight to Church and Jake would give them to his nursery workers. He is the only baby in the nursery, so sometimes I feel bad for one lady to stay in the nursery with him. I'm trying to train him to sit still, so that he can start sitting upstairs soon, but right now, he lasts through the song service and that is about all! So anyway, I purchased these cupcakes at Walmart for around $ 4.00. Then I bought these clear cups, and some quart size bags...all in all about $ 6.00. It took me about one hour to re-package them, make the tags and fix them up. I'll have Jake hand them out tonight after Church. I've been a Church nursery director before and it is a HARD job! A little thanks goes such a long way!!!! I hope as Jake gets older that he is thoughtful to people who are doing things for him, and thanks them! I think this is a forgotten courtesy, but one that is a mandate in the Bible!

Thursday, July 5, 2012

Life










Summer is here in full force in Kansas. It's been in the 100+ degrees for the last two weeks. I HATE hot weather. I'm from northern Wisconsin and I just don't deal well with the heat here in Kansas. I decided I'm going to pray for a hard winter...cold temps and lots of snow. Then I'll be begging for warmer temps...never satisfied are we? LOL
We have been presented another adoption opportunity. We are praying about it, and might start inquiring about it a little. Just thinking about it brings back a whole lot of memories-good and bad. John and I were talking about it tonight and we just don't feel the "desperation" that we felt last time. Granted last time was the first adoption we had ever gotten to experience. After several years of heart break and disappointment, God allowed us to complete an adoption and we finally became parents. Our reasons don't seem as selfish this time around. We want Jake to have a sibling...either brother or sister, we don't care, we just want him to have that. He is going to be such a great big brother too! He is so loving to other kids and is such a diplomat. I've been very proud of him in watching him with other children. He is the only baby in our Church nursery right now, but when we have visitors, he seems to do fine. We had a few children who were older than him, already in the two's and were in the "mine" grabby stage, and when they would take something away from him, he would just find another toy to play with. One child he hugged every time the child would grab a toy away from him, after about 5 times, the child thought it was enough hugging and started to push him away. So I guess you could say we have a lover, not a fighter. I do realize; however, that he isn't quite two yet, and my time of "mine" and such are probably coming. Right now, though, he is doing great with that. 
I look forward to welcoming another (probably the last adoption we will seek) child into our home. Jake has been such a blessing and joy. This could only get better! The little guy has taught me so much about myself. Stuff I don't think I would of learned without him. I understand how important it is for me to be the Christian God wants me to be, in order to be the Mother I need to be. I understand the importance of family and friends. I understand more about the relationship between me and my Husband. I know a love I never thought I'd ever get to experience...the unconditional, unsolicited, never-ending, pure, innocent love of a child. Yep, he has taught me so much in the short 21 months that we have been blessed with him! I look forward every day to what he teaches me and what God tells me to be teaching/training him. One of my greatest titles...Momma! 

Sunday, April 15, 2012

Childhood Memories

Isn't it funny the things from your childhood that evoke such interesting memories? My family was dirt poor. We didn't know where are next meal was coming from a lot of times, but Mom always managed to come up with something. Now that she lives down here with us, I've been learning how to make some of my old childhood favorites and have been realizing just how simple and cheap these meals were. We had a ham dinner for Easter. So when we had eaten our fill, I boiled the bone with the rest of the meat on it. It makes a delicious broth! Then I peeled and diced up some potatoes, carrots, celery and onion. I added that to the broth with shreds of ham. This is what Mom called, "Boiled Dinner". I remember her mashing the veggies up and putting them in a bowl and pouring some broth on top. MMMM. I had a taste when I was letting it cool down to put in the frig, and there they were...all the old memories! Mom lived in a simpler time. She never had any money. Growing up she worked but usually gave her money to her Mom. When she got married, she worked because my Dad had a bad back and couldn't do much. Then she got divorced from my Dad and had three kids to raise unsupported. We had a house. We had clothes. We were schooled. We had food. That was all that was required. She didn't have a lot of ways to show us she loved us...but she did with her food. Now I'm making it for my little guy! I hope he realizes thats one way that I show him I love him is by cooking for him!

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Hubby's Hobby

When I met John Williams in Bible College, he opened up a whole new world to me. He listened to bluegrass music, he played the banjo and he "hunted" morel mushrooms. The bluegrass music took a little getting used to. I liked the sound of the banjo, it wasn't nearly as sad sounding as a guitar. But "hunting" mushrooms...what????? I had NO idea people did that! He took me one time, I was not any good at it. You walk around aimlessly, staring at the ground, and looking for something that is camouflaged very well on the ground. He was good at it, and have been doing it for years! When he brings them back home, we wash them well, soak them in egg wash, dust them in flour, back in the egg wash, and then into either crackers/flour mixture or some new concoction that we have created. Then we fry them! They are delectable! We love them! I still don't like to hunt them, but as long as he likes to do that, I'll fry them and eat 'em!