And the winner is.....

That is the Christmas picture winners! These are the best and will be going out to hang on walls of our family :)





Honorable Mention:

Thrifty Thursday!

I LOVE Hurley and I LOVE deals! I haven't paid full price for a Hurley thing yet! If you want to get Hurley shirts for your boys for around $7-$14 (and today I fell in love with a sweatshirt for $20) then check out Marshalls, Ross, and TJ Maxx! Seriously the name brands are there and you can find so much stuff! And if you like Hurley you'll LOVE Eli's Lids, the hat Kai is wearing. Check them out!

Nash's Birthday!

A whole day at Disney and Nash got to do whatever he wanted!

Pumpkin Cookies

A-MAZ-ING! Your fall is not complete until you make these cookies! They are super moist and are a great alternative when you aren't in the mood for chocolate! (As if)

Ingredients:
1 cup white sugar
1 egg
1 cup shortening
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon each baking soda, baking powder, salt
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup canned pumpkin
white cookie icing (I used powdered sugar with milk but I think a cream cheese icing would be even better!)

Instructions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F
2. In a large bowl, mix sugar, egg, shortening, and vanilla
3. Sift together flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Stir into the creamed mixture, then stir in pumpkin
4. Spoon dough onto greased cookie sheet
5. Bake for 12 minutes, then cool
6. Drizzle icing on top of cookies

My little Super Heroes

Showing their superhero muscles!

A day at the pumpkin patch....

This is dirty!


Stop looking at me!


Am I doing this right??




This is so much fun!!


Future wifey (or so Kai thinks?)

New Car

Somehow I got very blessed with a new car while my old car, a Hyundai Santa Fe, wasn't quite dieing but a lot of money was going to have to be poured into it very soon. My new car is a Ford Flex and I love it! It's a car I could only dream about owning and I never thought would be mine. It's my anti-minivan and has so many cool features I just don't know what to do with myself! One thing is for sure though, if there is someone in need of a ride and they have two kids I can STILL fit them!! Yes, that's right my Flex fits 6! It would fit 7 but I have a refrigerator/freezer in place of one of the seats. Like I said, it has more then I need! I'm so thankful and I continue to praise God for his provisions.

Recent pictures of the boys

Easy Oreo Truffles

If you haven't made these yet and are a chocolate lover like me, you will thank me for posting this!



Prep Time:
30 min
Total Time:
1 hr 30 min

Makes:
3-1/2 doz. or 42 servings, one truffle each

What You Need!
1 pkg. (1 lb. 2 oz.) OREO Cookies, finely crushed, divided
1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
2 pkg. (8 squares each) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate, melted (or white chocolate)

Make It!

MIX 3 cups of the cookie crumbs and the cream cheese until well blended. Shape into 42 (1-inch) balls.

DIP balls in melted chocolate; place on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. (Any leftover melted chocolate can be stored in tightly covered container at room temperature and saved for another use.) Sprinkle with remaining cookie crumbs.

REFRIGERATE 1 hour or until firm. Store any leftover truffles in tightly covered container in refrigerator.

My 6 month maze

I know it's been awhile since I've posted but I just haven't been ready to talk and well I've been trying to figure out where I'm going!

I will sum up my year in Illinois as the hardest year I have ever experienced and the most needed growth I have ever gone through. I will sum up these last 6 months of being back in California as a blessed time where I have seen our God more present then ever before.

By the worlds standards we have nothing: no house, no furniture, and no job. However by God's standards we are so truly blessed with our relationship with Him being our creator and essence of our being. He has shown me He is still the God of miracles today and wants to use willing hearts who are obedient to His calling.

Of course I want us to be in a place of our own and feel settled but I've learned that we need to go through some personal growth and character change and then we'll move to the next phase. Right now my prayer has turned from "get devin a job soon Lord because I don't know how much more of this I can take!" to "Lord teach us what we need to know and humble us during this time so that we may be ready for the next step where you lead us." It's a journey of ups and downs but I'm learning that God only has our best in mind and when we trust Him He will give us a peace that surpasses all understanding for His ways are better then our ways and His thoughts are higher then our thoughts.

So yes I still want to have some stability but God has me in a full embrace of His love and I want nothing more but to surrender my ways and to walk with Him wherever he leads us. I guess I had to get to the place of dependence in Him as I lost all control and now He can build me back up His way instead of my way. What an amazing and loving creator we have.

As for an update: Devin has had no real interviews in the job world except for worship jobs. He has interviewed at a variety of churches through Southern California and nothing seems to be the right fit. He is leading worship for a church in San Juan Capistrano this weekend and in the interview process. It's only part time but that may be exactly what God wants for him. There is a long interesting story with this church that I may share at a later date. But for now I would appreciate your prayers this weekend that we would know if this is the place God wants us to be.

The verse that has sustained me this season :"For the Lord your God is with you. He takes great delight in you. He rejoices over you with singing." Zephaniah 3:17
Did you know that it says rejoices because he continually rejoices over us and in the greek language it means he dances, shouts, jumps in excitement. THAT IS HOW MUCH HE LOVES US!

Cheri

No Shame

The last few days Kai has been having "swimming lesson" with Daddy. Kai LOVES it and I think Devin likes having that special time with Kai. Well half way through Kai says he has to go potty. I asked Kai quietly if it was poo poo or pee pee. He proceeded to scream "POO POO!" The woman behind us turned around and giggled. I rushed Kai off to the bathroom and Kai made a fuss about going into the girls bathroom.

While Kai was doing his business he started to say "oh there's the pee pee and here comes the poo poo! Oh that was a BIG poo poo! Not done yet here comes more poo poo and pee pee!" Luckily we were the only ones in there during that time and when a woman entered I'm sure she just heard "I need to be wiped!" I just need to say it...Kai has NO SHAME!

A good reminder to hang on your wall

"When you are down to nothing God's up to something"



You say: 'It's impossible'

God says: All things are possible

(Luke 18:27)



You say: 'I'm too tired'

God says: I will give you rest

(Matthew 11:28-30)



You say: 'Nobody really loves me'

God says: I love you

(John 3:1 6 & John 3:34 )



You say: 'I can't go on'

God says: My grace is sufficient

(II Corinthians 12:9 & Psalm 91:15)



You say: 'I can't figure things out'

God says: I will direct your steps

(Proverbs 3:5- 6)



You say: 'I can't do it'

God says: You can do all things

( Philippians 4:13)



You say: 'I'm not able'

God says: I am able

(II Corinthians 9:8)



You say: 'It's not worth it'

God says: It will be worth it

(Roman 8:28 )



You say: 'I can't forgive myself'

God says: I Forgive you

(I John 1:9 & Romans 8:1)



You say: 'I can't manage'

God says: I will supply all your needs

( Philippians 4:19)



You say: 'I'm afraid'

God says: I have not given you a spirit of fear

(II Timothy 1:7)



You say: 'I'm always worried and frustrated'

God says: Cast all your cares on ME

(I Peter 5:7)



You say: 'I'm not smart enough'

God says: I give you wisdom

(I Corinthians 1:30)



You say: 'I feel all alone'

God says: I will never leave you or forsake you

(Hebrews 13:5)




God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go.'


Father, God, bless all my friends in whatever it is that you know they may need this day! And may their lives be full of your peace, prosperity and power as they seek to have a closer relationship with you. Amen.

Our life in a nut shell

For those who are wondering here are some facts on our life right now:

*Still no jobs (aside from the occasional haircut/color and swim lesson or worship leading)

*Still living with parents (most days are great but sometimes we just want a place of our own)

*Still no church home (we are going where God tells us each Sunday and it seems to always be different!)

*Yes we are happy to be back (of course we wish for different circumstances but we are so happy to be with friends and family again)

*No we aren't depressed or anxious because the Lord is completely taking care of us and is showing up in BIG ways like never before (seriously folks, pray BIG because God answers BIG and fast it seems!)

*I can't speak for the rest of my family but I have never felt closer to God and right now He has called me to be a servant in full time ministry wherever I go, wherever He leads me aka: gym, internet, salon, restaurant, etc.

I close with this: God will never let you down, will always be there for you, has a great plan for you, wants you to talk to him, WILL TALK BACK, you can hear from God, He loves you, He believes in you, He is good, you were created for His purpose and plan, draw near to Him and He will draw near to you!

Nash

Cute, loveable, destructive, strategic...NASH!

Brothers

Kai and Nash get along pretty well. Basically Kai gives Nash whatever he wants! Kai is tenderhearted and and very compassionate. He doesn't like when Nash gets in trouble and always comes to his defense. Nash on the other hand likes to hit, kick, and scream until he gets his way. He loves his brother but Kai seems to get hurt alot from Nash. If we tell Nash to say sorry he goes over to Kai and hugs him.

Soccer

Kai joined a soccer training class every Friday in May. He LOVES it and always tells us he won. Here's some cute pictures: (notice all our family watching Kai)

Life on the lake

Of course we would really like to be living on our own but tell me, how could you NOT enjoy this??

Sleeping

I promise to have some pictures soon. I'm not feeling motivated to upload them.

Lately Nash has been waking up about two times a night screaming softie(because he wants you to take his blanet and pick him up) or bb, bb, bb (pacifier) because he dropped the five I gave him when I laid him down! I am so tired of going in there but I let him cry he will just wake Kai up so I go in there hold him or give him a bb and then leave. That's all he wants.

Kai on the other hand has been having nightmares and a horrible cough. Last night I was so worried because he was in tears and having a hard time breathing. It's hard to watch your child struggle to breath and not know if I should take him to the ER. We survived though and he seems fine during the day today. He told me I just need to ask God to take his cough away. :)

All in all the sharing a room situation has gone pretty well.

Yes it's me

I've been avoiding you. What can I say, life is tough right now. Everything is uncertain and I should be crying out to the heavens in anger and confusion. I'm happy to say that is not the case! God has met me where I am and is ever so present! I have never been closer to him then I am now. He is speaking to me in so many different ways and using me to help encourage others. I pray that I can use this time to minister to others in the future.

The Lord your God is with you. He takes great delight in you. He will quiet you with his love and rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will write more as it unfolds.

Goodbye FBC

We said goodbye to our church yesterday. It was Devin's last Sunday leading worship. Devin had me sing the offeratory song with him and it was just an overall sad day for me. At the end of the service they had two chairs up front for us to sit in while a group of people involved in our lives the last year gathered around us and prayed for us. It was a very uncomfortable thing yet very comforting being sent away like that.

I am at a peace about leaving central Illinois and all that we had here. I will miss the spontaneous thunderstorms, lack of traffic, small town feel, local Walmart, Camille's, Tuesday morning moms group, wednesday night bible study, going out in my pj's, taking pride in my home, and much much more! I don't feel completely ready to close this chapter to my life as it seems so short. However God sometimes gives us that nudge we need to keep on following Him and where He needs us next. I'm so excited to see what He has next for us and I really do feel that He did lead us to FBC for a season and a specific purpose. I've made some life long friendships here I believe and Kai has for sure found a couple of potential wives. Even today he asked his friend Lauren to marry him. The world is small, God is BIG, and I'm just the girl who does what she is told by him. I would encourage you all to pray BIG because he is faithful and will always provide. He takes delight in taking care of us and whenever I'm broken and can't possibly take anymore He never lets me down!

I am healed.

Lately I've been feeling like if one more thing changes I will lose it! My faith has been floundering and I haven't been as solid as I wish I was. Well Devin got the flu last week followed by Nash. That same day Kai got an ear infection. I was the only healthy one and I thought I was clear but today I started getting an achy body, upset stomach, and I just knew I was going to vomit any minute! I laid down in my bed and pleaded to God. It sounded like this: "God this would be my 3rd time this season having the flu. I can't take being sick with the flu. I'm on my last thread as it is and I'm asking you to spare me this time. If you heal me of this flu I will give ALL the praise to you! Please work a miracle and show me you are there." 10 minutes or so later, my nausea was gone, my body no longer achy, and I was full of energy. I'm in tears my friends because God cares about us so much. If He can heal my flu, then He can provide a good job for my husband to support our family.

DON'T EVER BELIEVE THAT OUR LORD DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SMALL THINGS BECAUSE HE DOES AND HE IS ALWAYS THERE TO LISTEN AND SOMETIME HEAL US.

whats new will be gone

I haven't said much lately. I am struggling with letting go of things such as the house, Devin's job, our life in Pekin, the dreams I had of Kai going to preschool here,and ALL my furniture, all things we've had for less then a year. Can you imagine your spouse not having a job anymore and having to uproot you and your family out of state and part with your favorite treadmill, bunkbeds that you imagined your kids in for years, a crib that you wanted your next child to sleep in, a bbq that you always wanted and got to use just once, or how about your first bedroom set that you got when you got married and you still LOVE it?? I know it's all stuff but not having a lot of money to begin with and knowing that you may or may not be able to replace it is very tough. So, yes I'm struggling with letting go of control and the 'stuff' that I so dearly treasure. I'm sure this is all part of God's plan to have me depend soley on him and let go of all those material treasures that I love. My theme song right now and for a couple years actually has been this: "You give and take away. You give and take away. Still my heart will choose to say... blessed be your name!"

Hubby shout out!

I have a VERY talented hubby! God has gifted him with an amazing voice that is pleasing to the ears and he uses it to lead Spirit led worship. When I first met him almost 8 years ago he didn't know how to play guitar but was very persistent on learning. He's spent the last 8 years playing wherever he can and volunteering A LOT of his weekend time to becoming a more skilled worship leader. He's now searching for a new place to spread his wings and challenge people of God into a more intimate time of worship. Any church would be blessed to have him leading for them. Check out Devin in action:

Church signs

I drive past a church every day that always has a funny saying on the sign out front. "If you can't sleep, don't count sheep. Talk to the shepherd" So I did some searching and here are some others you might enjoy!

1. There was a church that had problems with outsiders
parking in its parking lots, so they put up a sign:
CHURCH CAR PARK - FOR MEMBERS ONLY,
TRESPASSERS WILL BE BAPTIZED!
That took care of the problem!


2. "No God - No Peace? Know God - Know Peace."


3. "Free Trip to heaven. Details Inside!"


4. "Try our Sundays. They are better than Baskin-Robbins."


5. "Searching for a new look? Have your faith lifted here!"


6. An ad for one Church has a picture of two hands holding stone tablets on which the Ten Commandments are inscribed and a headline that reads:
"For fast, fast, fast relief, take two tablets."


7. When the restaurant next to another Church put out a sign with big red letters that said, "Open Sundays," the church reciprocated with its own message: "We are open on Sundays, too."


8. "People are like tea bags - you have to put them in hot water before you know how strong they are."


9. "Fight truth decay - study the Bible daily."


10. "How will you spend eternity - Smoking or Non-smoking?"


11. "Dusty Bibles lead to Dirty Lives"


12. "Come work for the Lord. The work is hard, the hours are long and the pay is low. But the retirement benefits are out of this world."


13. "It is unlikely there'll be a reduction in the wages of sin."


14. "Do not wait for the hearse to take you to church."


15. "If you're headed in the wrong direction, God allows U-turns."


16. "If you don't like the way you were born, try being born again."


17. "Looking at the way some people live, they ought to obtain eternal fire insurance soon."


18. "This is a ch_ _ ch. What is missing?" ----- (U R)


19. "In the dark? Follow the Son."


20. "Running low on faith? Step in for a fill-up."

Prayer Request

As you can imagine things are difficult right now. My biggest prayer request is that I would focus on God's promises and would lead people to want to more about this great God that we serve through my actions. I am going to say that I've been very attacked lately. I am struggling with control and wanting to go out and find a job. I don't feel that I am suppose to work right but be at home with the kids. A couple of years ago I took control into my own hands out of fear that God wouldn't provide the money. I felt confused and ultimately I made the wrong decision. God still blessed me but I learned a tough lesson. Here I am faced with the same situation once again. This time I will not act because of my fear but I am determined to seek only what God wants from me and to truly trust him with our situation.

I wake up every morning and turn on the news. There are no jobs, recession is at an all time high, and millions have lost their jobs. My first thought is worry, anxiety, and fear. God has never ever abandoned us and we've always had a roof over our head and food to eat. Our Lord WILL provide for us and bless us. It may not look like what I want it to but He knows what is best for our family so I will trust him. My prayer is that I will keep in his peace and direction and not try to take control. That I will be prayerful for all things and follow what I feel he is saying.

I'll keep you updated with any new information!

Nash update

It's been awhile since I've done some updates so today we'll start with Nash. He is still fussy and quite demanding but then he does something so cute that it steals your heart! Yesterday he saw an unlit candle and started blowing so I lit it and let him blow it out. He thought that was very fun and didn't like that we stopped after that. Nash LOVES balloons and balls! Everytime he sees a balloon he points up at it and rolls his lips saying 'boo..boo..boo' Anytime he is upset I start asking him to get the ball or I find a ball nearby and give it to him and he gets completly distracted with it.

For the most part Nash likes to play with anything that Kai is playing with. Nash likes to steal it from Kai while saying 'no!'. Then he will throw it at Kai when Kai cries and Nash will say 'thank you.'

Nash just started to sleep through the night but every few nights he wakes up just for me to give him a pacifier. He naps really well and sometimes I will ask if he wants to go nie night and he will nod his head and put it on my shoulder. He always sleeps with his binkie 'bb' and blanket 'softie'. In two days he will be 16 months and he is just starting to get his two upper molers. Nash babbles alot and also says a lot of words. He has the cutest voice! His ear tubes have really worked well and we are very thankful for that!

Some of you will get to see him a lot more next month :)

An Interview with Kai, age 3

1. What is something mom always says to you?
Kai- "No"

2. What makes mom happy?
Kai- "Giving me a spanking"

3. What makes mom sad?
Kai- "Taking a point away"

4. How does your mom make you laugh?
Kai- "Giving me a kiss"

5. What was your mom like as a child?
Kai- "You were 4"

6. How old is your mom?
Kai- "10"

7. How tall is your mom?
Kai- "Taller"

8. What is her favorite thing to do?
Kai- "Cut food"

9. What does your mom do when you're not around?
Kai- "Vaccum"

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Kai- "For drawing an M"

11. What is your mom really good at?
Kai- "Reading books"

12. What is your mom not very good at?
Kai- "Doing computers"

13. What does your mom do for her job?
Kai- "Drinking water"

14. What is your mom's favorite food?
Kai- "Salad"

15. What makes Mommy proud of you?
Kai- "putting up pictures of me"

16. If your mom were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Kai- "Woody"

17. What do you and your mom do together?
Kai- "I look at pictures and you read books"

18. How are you and your mom the same?
Kai- "I'm bigger and you're biggest"

19. How are you and your mom different?
Kai- "Our hair is different"

20. How do you know your mom loves you?
Kai- "I call someone"

21. Where is your mom's favorite place to go?
Kai- "Church"

Simply Amazed

We serve a BIG God my friends. Through this tough journey for us I plan to document all the ways I see God's hand as we move back home and get where he wants us next. Well He's already starting to work!

Our house:
Let's face it, the market is horrible! Houses are down 10% and the buyers are few. When I spoke with our real estate agent she said that it's a really slow time and no one is buying. Regardless of this news I know that God will sell our house in the next couple of months. So I prayed that God would have someone knock on my door who is interested in our house. Last night my neighbor came knocking on my door. I told her the previous day that we are going to list our house at the end of March but are willing to sell now if someone is interested. She said that she was talking to her friend who wants to live in our neighborhood and wants a house with wood floors, granite counters, and 3 car garage! I thought wow God you work fast! They are coming this afternoon to look at it. We also had a showing last week from our real estate agent. Then I got a call today from another real estate agent to show our house tomorrow. ALL of these showing are before it's even on the market!

So I close with this:
"I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:20

The big news

I'm sure you've been reading our blog or our facebook status's and said to yourself 'what is going on with them?' I can now answer your question by saying that things didn't work out with Devin and the church he was a Director of Worship at. I won't go into details but they wanted someone different then Devin and Devin tried really hard to be that person but a circle can't fit into a square shaped hole or something like that!

Devin and I battled for a long time back and forth pleading with God to give us the confirmation we needed. We couldn't understand why He would lead us out here for only 1 year and we felt that we had really invested ourselves here. In the end we felt that it was God saying it's time to go and that we had fulfilled our purpose here. Since the announcement that Devin was leaving the church, he has received so many compliments. I think Devin's heart has always been to lead people into an intimate time of worship and take them out of the box of just standing and reading the words. People have said they have been challenged to look at worship differently and really have felt the Holy Spirit move as he led. That is Devin's heart and that alone tells us that we weren't here for nothing!

What is ahead for us now? That is where we ask for prayer. There are not many jobs here in central Illinois for Devin and we lack family support. The wisest thing for us to do is to move back to California and stay with my parents. We feel God moving us in that way and we are expecting great things in the near future. I personally believe that God would not move us out here for just one year and then leave us hanging with some mediocre job and living with my parents. I firmly believe that God will bless Devin with a great job and enough financial provision to get us on our feet. I look forward to blogging about this journey and telling you how great our God is and the miracles He worked with Devin's employment and selling the house here we have in Illinois.

I do ask for prayer as not all days seem to be hopeful for us and we still struggle with thoughts of failure, hopelessness, and confusion. Thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing our California friends in the next couple of months!

Franks Redhot Buffalo Chicken Dip

8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup ranch salad dressing
5 oz any flavor FRANK'S® REDHOT® Sauce
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1 large can of canned chicken, drained


DIRECTIONS:

1.HEAT oven to 350°F. Place cream cheese into deep baking dish. Stir until smooth.
2.MIX in salad dressing, Frank's RedHot Sauce and cheese. Stir in chicken.
3.BAKE 20 min. or until mixture is heated through; stir. Garnish as desired. Serve with crackers or vegetables.


This is such a good recipe for the whimps like me who love the taste of buffalo wings but can't handle the hot! I used the regular Franks buffalo sauce and it has a bit of a kick but nothing where I would need water or anything. I served it with wheat thins but chips would be good too!

I wish I had an H

The other day we were in Kai's room and he told me he really wanted an H in his name. He was looking up at Nash's wall and it has his name on in. I told him he does have an H in his name because his full name is Mikiah. He said no I don't! I said we call him Kai but his real name is Mikiah. He said I was wrong and ran into his room where he pointed at the name on his wall K A I and said see no H! I started laughing and I told him he has two names and one has an H but that he was right. Can't argue with a 3 year old.

Sleepless

So Kai woke up at 3am and I heard stomping down the hallway. I got out of bed and saw him in a shirt, no underwear, and his snow boots on! I said what are you doing? He said he was done sleeping and he's ready to go play. I quickly redirected him back to bed while he burst into tears. What can I say, I'm just a mean mom who would rather sleep then play in the snow at 3am.

A little devotion...

My friend Christie had this on her blog and it really stuck out to me so I would love to share it with you:

Stability is maturity. To grow up in God is to come to the place where you can be content no matter what your situation or circumstances may be because you are rooted and grounded, not in things, but in the Lord.

Paul was emotionally and spiritually mature because he knew whatever state he was in would pass. He had learned the secret of facing every situation of life, whether good or bad.

God wants to bless you and use you as a vessel through which His Holy Spirit can work. But in order for that to happen you must learn how to handle both the good times and the bad. That's why it is so important to remember that whatever comes your way, "This too shall pass." The good times and the bad never last forever, but through Christ we can handle either with joy and stability.

Kai's Girlfriend

Kai has a 'girlfriend' named Katie. He calls her his girlfriend and she calls him her boyfriend. He talks about her a lot. Today he said he didn't want to go to church. I told him that Katie was going to be there and he said 'okay let's go!'. Katie likes to ask her mom if Kai would like a certain dress she wants to wear. They are so cute talking about each other that it just melts my heart! I love the innocense of a child. We'll always remember Katie as his first girlfriend.