What a Precious Sight!

Isn't this a beautiful picture? My son played the role of the Good Samaritan in chapel yesterday and it just melted my heart. It truly captured the type of servant that he is....one of my favorite things about him is that he always puts others before himself. He seldom asks for anything and if we never had to leave the house to go anywhere, he would be okay with that too. What a blessing!

Winter Storm 2008

WINTER STORM 2008 - that is the warning that we continually saw on the newscast the past 48 hours. I have to admit with all of the warnings that I went to the grocery store after school yesterday to buy some goodies (oh, the pressure of being "trapped" without the necessities for your family) - I am not one to purchase the proverbial milk and bread - if I am going to be in for a day or two, I want grits, bacon and eggs and raspberry hot chocolate with whipped topping. Can I get a witness?

Well, I woke up at three o'clock this morning to see that the ground was covered in snow - beautiful snow. I had the urge to wake the hubby and child but resisted temptation at the thought of them being grumpy if we did have to go. I snuggled back under the covers and just KNEW that we would be at home all day today.

I turned on the TV to check out the news - I just adore our local news forecast. Being that we don't get a lot of snow in this area, we certainly get excited and go overboard at the thought of a little dusting of the white stuff. I laid on the couch this morning and watched two hours of video footage of slag trucks on the roads and reporters warning people to stay in.

I needed to head for the shower but, I waited until 5:15 am, then told myself that our headmaster would call school by 5:30 am, then I said, "Okay - if he is going to call it , surely he will do it by 5:45." You see, all other surrounding counties were out - everyone in our neighborhood was out today, but not us. Now it was okay - mmmm.... let's see: A day off to clean or a great day in the classroom? Either one would be fine but I got the latter.

By the way, the roads were just slushy - they did a great job of salting down all of the local roads and bridges. (and we were thankful to make it safely)

I only had 12 kids this morning and they were MAD that they had to come. I said, "Don't grumble - grab a pencil and write about how you are feeling. They wrote things similar to this:

"I did not want to come to school today. I wanted to stay home and drink hot chocolate. I wanted to build a snowman. I am sad."

You have to love first graders and appreciate them for their honesty.

They were so cute and they got over it quickly when I told them that we would have a great time today. Work a little; play a little; work a little; play a little, etc. Tough conditions but we survived.

Whatever you did today, I pray that you got to play a little too!

Kim

Never Trust a Skinny Cook

That old adage - Never Trust a Skinny Cook - is true. I am a huge fan of Paula Deen and one of the reasons is that I think that she represents the south so well. Most of my childhood memories of my grandmothers revolve around the kitchen.

My grandma lived her last several years alone but she cooked a southern spread for us each Sunday that would make Paula Deen proud. Her southern fried chicken was the best and she made the best fried pies - all from scratch - I well remember her draining the chicken and the fried pies on brown grocery bags across the kitchen counter. No wonder a stick of butter in almost every recipe I make...It is in my DNA...healthy eating is just no fun - although, I know that hubby and I need to make a better effort to do so.

Tonight, we are going to our last party of the season. The hostess intentionally held off planning this party so that everyone could be relaxed and free to attend. (with all the Christmas errands behind them) So today, I thought I would post the recipes of the appetizers that I made to take with us tonight. You may have seen some variation of all of these before but these are my favorites. Enjoy! (and if weight loss is your New Year's Resolution, I warn you to not even tempt yourself by reading them - just print them and hide in a drawer until your next bout of PMS strikes - you'll be glad you did!)

Like Crack Cheesecake Bars:
(Hey, I didn’t name them but once you taste them, you will see why someone selected this name for them.)

2 cans of croissant rolls
2 pkgs cream cheese (8 oz.)
1 stick melted butter
1 tsp cinnamon
1.5 tsp vanilla
1.5 cups sugar

Roll out one can of croissant dough and press together the seams in a 13x9 pan. In a large bowl, blend cream cheese, one cup of sugar and the vanilla. Spread the mixture on top of the dough. Roll out the second can of croissant dough. Press the seams together and place on top of cream cheese mixture. Pour melted butter over the dough, drizzling some along the sides of the pan so it gets down to the bottom too. Mix 1/2 cup of sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle on top.Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Serve warm for breakfast or cold for dessert.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

2 bags of frozen meatballs
1 large jar of grape jelly
1 jar of Heinz chili sauce
1 tablespoon of mustard
1 cup of Heinz ketchup

Heat in crock pot – stirring occasionally. Cook on high until ingredients mix well and then turn back to low until meatballs are served.

Dried Beef Cream Cheese Ball

2 sticks of cream cheese
3 chopped green onions
1 jar of dried beef
Dash or two of seasoned salt
Tsp or two of Worcestershire sauce

Chop dried beef and set aside one fourth of it to roll cheese ball in before serving. Mix softened cream cheese, chopped dried beef, finely chopped green onions, seasoned salt and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well and form large ball in wax paper. Chill at least an hour or longer. Roll in remaining chipped beef before serving. Serve with triscuits, wheat thins or Ritz crackers

In the words of Paula Deen - Eat up, y'all!

Kim

Counting My Blessings One by One....

Don’t you just love receiving those Christmas letters in the mail describing how little Johnny mastered the 10th level of TKD and how little Suzy performed the role of a butterfly in the year end dance recital? You may be one to compose such letters and if you are, I don’t mean to misinterpret your intentions. It is great to keep up with friends but what if we sent out a list of our blessings for the previous year instead?

So that is what I have decided to do in today’s post and I challenge you to do the same.

Here is just a small list of the many blessings we are thankful for at our house:

He allows us to continue our teaching ministries at HGBCS.
He has blessed us with good health.
He meets our daily needs and not always our wants – He does know best.
He blesses us with people who have taught us the value of true friendship.
He keeps our home safe.
He continues to keep our older cars running and even provided when one tried to give up the fight. J
He provides us loving extended family members.
He surrounds us with friends who have the courage and boldness to take giant leaps of faith.
He gives me the opportunity to do what I LOVE to do each day – teach!
He blesses us with family vacation at the beach every year – love soaking up sunshine in His creation!
He blessed me with a spouse who loves me unconditionally.
He gave us a fearfully and wonderfully made son who has a huge heart for his creator.
He continues to provide water….man, the drought this year has made me realize what a blessing indoor plumbing really is.
He blessed us with home filled with laughter and music and quality conversation.
He blessed us with a fridge and pantry that generally contains a meal or two and always a gallon of milk.
I am so thankful that for the blessing of freedom – we just don’t know what a blessing this is in our country. Lord, forgive us when we take it for granted.
He blessed all in our country with the freedom to worship – Lord, help us protect this right in our country.
He blessed us with a church that preaches the WORD and is not ashamed to take a bold stand in our community.
I am thankful that TWO of my very best friends EVER – have crossed paths with my family again. (We are more richly blessed because of it!)
Above all, through His son, Jesus, He provides us grace and mercy….so that we can begin each day with a fresh start.

May God bless you richly in the coming year and may you pause to count your blessings in the next few days.

Happy New Year!

Kim

Don't Miss It!

Luke 2: 1-7
And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

Don't you just love the Christmas story? Can you imagine being there in Bethlehem that night? I wonder how many busy townspeople missed out on God coming so near?

I have vowed to not do that in our home. I begin my shopping in September- sometimes earlier and I am always finished the day after Thanksgiving. For those of you who are retail professionals - we dub that day Black Friday.

I have the trees put up and the house decorated the weekend prior to Thanksgiving so that all of the extra stuff that can distract you is complete. That way we can focus on the true meaning of Christmas in our home. I really get disturbed to see how the prices escalate on the few HOT toys for the season or to see parents put so much emphasis on the items on their children's list. Don't get me wrong...we do Santa and we have fun with it but we keep it in perspective.

Christmas Day just comes too quickly....Don't you just love how for ONE day of the year it is as if EVERYONE worships? You see HIM in almost every face you see....and then after one reverent day - the world returns to its current state of "It's all about me!"

How about you? Will you be too busy to miss it?

Look for moments in the next few days when God will come near - reflect on them this season and savor them as we enter 2008.

Merry Christmas!

Kim

Mama, Do You Think.....

"Mama, do you think...?" I have to confess to you that sometimes those words scare me. As moms, we do not like to be caught off guard. I never know what random thought is about to escape my analytical son's brain and better yet flow through his lips. However, he has shown so much spiritual growth this year that it is a blessing to watch him process things through his spiritual eyes and compassionate heart. It is amazing how my view of the world and situations are influenced by the way he processes things.

I was reminded of that today. After running errands, we pulled in to the parking lot at Walgreens. I saw a gentleman who was collecting money for an alcohol and drug rehab program in a similar fashion that the Salvation Army collects during the holidays. Now I am not one to carry cash - we are debit card addicts - but there I sat digging through the contents of my purse, pulling change from every nook and cranny - including the console of our car. I passed a handful of change to my son and instructed him to drop it in the bucket as we entered the store. He did and began asking how long we were going to be in the store.

As we walked up and down the aisles, he complained - no I will be honest - he WHINED about being thirsty. To which I replied in my best mom tone - "Don't you think that I am thirsty too? I said that we will get something on the way out - now come on...I have to finish collecting the items on my shopping list."

We hurried along completing my shopping list, grabbing a Coke for me and a chocolate milk for my son, checked out at the register....and then the thought hit me that perhaps the gentleman outside the store was thirsty as well. As my son reached for his milk, I said take my Coke and on our way to the car give it to the man outside the store and tell him that Jesus loves him. He said, "But Mom, aren't YOU thirsty? Don't YOU want it?" I said, "I can wait and get something at home."

We exited the store and the gentleman thanked us again for our donation and I said, "We took the liberty of getting you a Coke - God bless you!" He thanked us and my son and I proceeded to get in the car.

As we pulled away, my son said, "Mom I know you were really thirsty and you gave that man your Coke. Mom, do you think after he drinks it, he will thank God for it instead of us? Cause it was really God who wanted you to give it to him and I know that is why you did it. I love you mom!"

What amazed me was that through all of it, I said nothing about feeling the Holy Spirit nudging me to share - it was my son's observation and analysis of the situation that impressed me and that he wanted God to get the glory and honor for my random act of kindness. (and rightly so...)

What will your children see in you this Christmas season? I want to be more like Him in 2008. Don't you?

Have a blessed weekend!

Kim

Giving Thanks

So have you spent anytime thinking about why you are thankful? I certainly have today. Our son fell (racing downhill in a wagon) at a friend's house yesterday and had to get stitches yesterday. While it was not nearly as bad as it could have been, he did have to get five stitches in the back of his noggin'. (and if you know anything about head injuries...they bleed profusely). It wasn't nearly as bad as it appeared when we first saw him at the ER. You know, I am one to savor the moment anyway, but it takes a jolt sometimes to remind you of just how precious life is. We are so thankful that it wasn't worse and we are also thankful for the support of friends. (like the one that comforted and prayed with my son yesterday and drove him to the ER with two other seven year olds and a toddler in tow).

I am so thankful for the time that I have had with my son. As a teacher, I have a wonderful schedule. Tonight, we parked outside a pet shop and stood peering into the windows - watching kittens play. We giggled together and laughed as they tumbled over one another. And then it happened: "Mom, when can we get one?" Response: "When you grow up and get your own place, I promise to buy you one of your own. It will be my grandkitty - until then just think about what kind you want!" (Now for all of you cat lovers out there....I am not unreasonable...I feed the neighbor's cat instead of owning one....which with the costs of owning a pet these days...I feel that is a sensible thing to do.)

Back to thanksgiving - I have so much to be grateful for: a wonderful Savior, a terrific spouse, a super seven year old, supportive and generous parents and MIL, great Christian friends, a fabulous job, the opportunity to share Jesus with His little ones everyday, fantastic bloggin' buddies like you, a warm bed to sleep in, a comfortable home, and choices. We live in a country where we don't have to worry about IF we will eat - but we have a gazillion choices as to WHAT we will eat each day - and what we will do to entertain ourselves and how we will spend our money and time. I am so thankful for what God has given me and I pray that tomorrow will be a day for you to bask in the glow of HIS goodness. Happy Thanksgiving.

Until next time.....

Kim