My three most precious gifts!

♥ Sisters! ♥

Baby boy - happy to be outside =D

He can now sit up on his own, crawl all around, and is starting to stand up to things! Watch out big sisters... here I come!

Crazy Saturday

A couple weeks ago I received an invitation to a "Towel Party". The invite was very nice... said date and time.... said there would be food and said to bring a wrapped towel. Didn't say where it was going to be held, who was giving the party, or a phone # to call... just said call for info. ;)

Well, I figured out the mystery last week or so and planned on attending. My week wasn't extremely busy really... Saturday got here though and I had so much on my mind. The girls wanted my full attention outside, showing me this, that, and everything! I wanted to mow the lawn... never did fit that in. Mostly because one of the girls left the lights turned on and ran the battery dead... oops! Anyway, my mother-in-law called me up around 12pm asking if I was going to the party. (which happened to be at 2pm) I had completely forgot! I had two hours to get lunch ready, eat, take a shower, get ready, change two diapers, get three little ones dressed, wrap my gift, pack my diaper bag, drop Becca off at Grandma's and arrive at the party on time, and 20 other things in between. Whew!... guess what? I not only arrived on time... I was early!

I'm so glad that I decided to go though - I had a really nice time... it was all worth the rush. =) Here are some pictures of things from the party...

Favors... they are soo cute! They are made from towels.

These are the towels I ended up taking home... I even won a game! Here is my prize...

New Boots ♥

Healthy Recipe

Banana Topsy-Turvy Cake

Topping:
3 Tbsp. butter
¼ cup honey
½ cup walnuts, chopped
8oz. can unsweetened pineapple slices, drained

Melt butter in a 9” square baking dish; pour honey over butter and arrange pineapple slices and walnuts on top.

Cake:
½ cup butter
1 cup honey
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
1 ¼ cup whole wheat flour
¾ cup buttermilk
1 tsp. soda
½ tsp. baking powder
½ tsp. salt
1 cup rolled oats
½ cup bananas, mashed

Beat together butter and honey until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add combined flour, soda, baking powder, and salt to the batter mixture alternately with buttermilk. Mix well after each addition. Stir in oats and bananas. Pour over topping. Bake in preheated over at 350 for 45-50 minutes. Loosen sides of cake; immediately invert on serving plate. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream.

** I’m sure your cake will turn out just fine if you follow it exact, however, I did make some substitutions. I hardly ever follow a recipe exact. I don’t know why… I guess it’s mostly because I don’t have all of the ingredients it calls for.

Left out the walnuts, didn’t have any
Used a 20 oz can of crushed pineapple instead of the 8 oz of sliced
Put ¾ cup of honey in the cake batter (I’m stingy with my honey!)
I didn’t have buttermilk… used regular milk instead
For the rolled oats – I used quick oats
1 cup of mashed bananas rather than ½ cup

A thought to ponder...

This cooler, rainy weather makes me really appreciate the warm sunny days we had last week and makes me look forward to the end of the week! So far it is suppose to be really nice! Today I was thinking about all of the trials, discomforts, and not so nice things in my life lately and then I stopped and thought… you know though - these same things bring me much blessing, joy and comfort! I thought I would share some examples:

Rainy weather - time to catch up on neglected housework,
boring drive (and almost falling asleep) to the auction to sell pigs – good excuse to stop and get ice cream =),
having my day interrupted yesterday to serve others – made me stop and think what I’m really here on this earth for and that I want to use my time to honor and glorify the Lord by helping others.

I was also reminded of this by a song I heard yesterday while working out in the greenhouse.

Work, for the night is coming, Work through the morning hours;
Work for the dew is sparkling, Work ‘mid springing flowers.
Work when the day grows brighter, Work in the glowing sun;
Work, for the night is coming, when man’s work is done.

Work, for the night is coming, Work through the sunny noon;
Fill brightest hours with labor, Rest comes sure and soon.
Give every flying minute, Something to keep in store;
Work, for the night is coming, When man works no more.

Work, for the night is coming, Under the sunset skies;
While their bright tints are glowing, Work, for daylight flies.
Work till the last beam fadeth, Fadeth to shine no more;
Work while the night is darkening, When man’s work is o’er.

Soon our work will be over… what are you working for? How are you using your time?

Family Night Out...

We enjoyed some family time last evening. We knew that we wanted to get something to eat and then go to the park. We thought it wise to get something to eat first or Josh and I might have made it a short playtime at the park. =D We let Anna decide where to eat... she really wanted ice cream so we went to City Limits. It was very busy... which I kind of thought it would- being such a nice evening. =)

Two hot dogs and four ice cream cones later... we headed off to the park. It was about 7:30 when we got there and I guess everyone was heading home 'cause there weren't too many people there- which was just fine with me. I like letting them run around on their own and not have to worry about where they are the whole time. Oh, and their favorite is still the handicapped swing. =)

I almost forgot to take pictures (I meant to take some when we got ice cream) but remembered just as we were thinking about heading out. My new favorite thing is taking pictures of our whole family- can get tricky without a tripod though. You just have to get real creative... picnic table, park bench, sticks.... yeah, about anything will work. I think that's what I'm going to ask for Christmas... you wouldn't believe how many times I've wished I had one - tripod that is, not a stick. =D

Below we have the two handsomest guys EVER!

Family pic #1 with the help of a picnic table.

Family pic #2 with the help of a park bench. I guess I never did use a stick. ; )

An update...

Here's my little man looking his Sunday best - runny nose and all!

I painted our downstairs bathroom the other day. Josh said I could go ahead and do that since we won't be remodeling for at least a few years. I'm not extremely fond of the color... I wanted something bright and cheery but not too bright, not too girly, and not too weird. =) I decided this color is pretty classic. (Almost the same color as Ben's room) I forgot to take "before" pictures, but I figured the only people that care already know what it looked like...ugly, old, and outdated! This picture is really dark and I didn't take the time to lighten it. But you can see the new curtain I bought that adds a really nice touch to the room.
While I was happily painting away Benjamin decided he would like to help. I thought I had the paint tray out of his reach... man his arms are long! He reached right up there and grabbed it! I wasn't very pleased at first as I was in a hurry to finish the job before supper - I'm glad that Josh took some pictures... it seems quite comical to me now. =)Yesterday was beautiful outside! The girls want to go out as soon as we finish breakfast and are coming and going until supper. With dinner and a nap somewhere in between. =)

Romans 5:1-6

Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.

I have pictures coming soon so be sure to check back!

Lovely day...

We had a really nice day yesterday. We visited a new church, spent time with family, ate a really good dinner =), and watched Fireproof for the 3rd time. (still almost makes me cry - I love that movie!)

I actually remembered to take some pictures before church... I wanted to take more at Josh's parent's but... forgot. =(

Happy Easter!

Something I thought was very neat!...

Why Did Jesus Fold the Napkin?

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection?

The Gospel of John (20:7) tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes.

The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

Early Sunday morning, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and found that the stone had been rolled away from the entrance.

She ran and found Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved. She said, 'They have taken the Lord's body out of the tomb, and I don't know where they have put him!'

Peter and the other disciple ran to the tomb to see. The other disciple outran Peter and got there first. He stooped and looked in and saw the linen cloth lying there, but he didn't go in.

Then Simon Peter arrived and went inside. He also noticed the linen wrappings lying there, while the cloth that had covered Jesus' head was folded up and lying to the side.

Was that important? Absolutely!

Is it really significant? Yes!

In order to understand the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day.. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it.

The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait, just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

Now if the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table.

The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, 'I'm done'.

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because.......... The folded napkin meant, 'I'm coming back!' He is Coming Back!!

Remembering Jesus as He died on the cross for our sins and rose again on the third day! He is now at the right hand of God making intercession for all who believe and accept the wonderful gift of salvation!

Wishing everyone a happy Easter! Much Love, Becca ♥

Visit to Indianapolis...

Ben and I visited my family for 5 days! We had a fantastic time and can't wait to see them all again! They sure spoiled us while we were there! I ate lots of yummy food, saw new places, went shopping, and best of all - spent time visiting some of my favorite people! If only Josh and the girls could have come along it would have been perfect!

Friday evening after supper my mom and dad took me downtown to the Chocolate Cafe for dessert. We ate some of the best cheesecake I've ever had! And their hot chocolate was delicious! The bottom of the monument above
♥ Savannah & Sophia ♥
I had an opportunity to watch Sara with her class that she teaches every Saturday. They usually have a time of singing, bible story, craft and then a snack. The children are so cute!Stefanie with her baby "class". =)
Sunday night we had my sister-in-law Lydia over for strawberry smoothies! Mom and Shiloh =)We had pizza for supper outside Saturday evening and stayed outside until almost dark. Savannah
My beautiful sister - Stefanie
Seth in his handsome blue shirt!

Over The Weekend...

Anna - before heading to Lebanon with Grandma and Aunties

He was looking at the camera and turned just as I took the picture. =/