Ellie Speaks

Ellie has said some funny stuff lately. We can not believe she is going to be 3 soon. She is so sweet and inquisitive...I love spending my days with her and Athan.

~ The other day she asked me where Nana and Papa were. I told her they live Florida and we live in Missouri. Her response --- "They do not live in Hobby Lobby?"

~We have started reading Farmer Boy out loud to her and she has surprised us at how much she enjoys it. Yesterday I was reading a part where Almanzo is talking about popcorn and that it is American. Ellie --- "American?" Yes, I said. We are Americans. "No we are people Mommy."

~Last night I asked her what she was thankful for, she answered w/ a really big smile "God!"

~Just this morning she told me she got married (she is wearing a white pillow case dress I made awhile back, long, w/ a ruffle on the bottom) I said is it b/c you have on a white dress. She answered yes, and started walking away holding her dress out like she was about to start twirling.

Enjoy you kiddos today and all their creative ways and the reminders that God loves children!

Good Deals~

At ALDI this week, until the 19th...

PINEAPPLE $1.99 each

GALA APPLES $1.19 for a 3lb. bag

NAVEL ORANGES $1.29 for a 4lb. bag

I am really excited about the fresh pineapple. :)

Coming Soon...

Pictures of a homemade diaper bag...I love it! Waiting for my husband to finish the pics. He is soooo great to help me in this way. :)

Oriental Style Chuck Roast...

One of my favorite things to make for my family is a chuck roast in the crock pot. It is easy and they always enjoy it. This time I tried something a little different. I put the roast in there, dumped a can (with the juice) of pineapple chunks on top, piled some chopped onion on there, then I poured some soy sauce and honey over it all. I do not know the measurements. If you try this just do more than less, you do not want it to dry out. Cook on low for eight hours or until done. About an hour before it was to be served I put some sliced carrot over it all. I did not want them to be too mushy. I served all this over rice. We really enjoyed it. And then the next night, because there wasn't as much meat left I made fried rice with it. Basically the same thing, but the little variation was fun. :) Happy cooking for your families!

You Know it is Cold When...

~ Your feet burn when you get in the shower.

~ You have to put on the second pair of socks.

~ You have not gone anywhere in almost a week.

~ There is a little girl's bouncy ball frozen to the ground (Ellie was sad about this, and confused:)

~ The idea of sitting in front of the huge fireplace in Bass Pro sounds blissful!

~ There is frost on the INSIDE of a window.

~ Your heat is set to 58 during the night and is still running, ALOT.

~ And just because you haven't been anywhere in almost a week doesn't mean you want to change that. :)

~We are thinking of having a play day in the bathroom because it is the warmest room, no just kidding. We did think about it though.

~The icicles you thought were so beautiful a few days ago have lost their dazzle.

So...who is ready for Spring? The gal from FLA is. :) Enjoy your day and Christ wherever you are on the map. Even with all this cold there is MUCH to praise Him for!

New Recipe

My husband makes really good chocolate milk. He mixes some cocoa powder, sugar, a little water and makes a syrup. Then when he gets the consistency he wants he pours the milk. But last night he added some white chocolate liquor. He calls it---Adult Chocolate Milk. It is 8 degrees outside I think that constitutes for a chocolaty treat!

Snow + Floridians = FUN!

Here are a few pictures from when my family was here for Christmas...


Me, Ellie, and my Mom!



I love this little girl...those eyes!



Eleanor was already at her limit, hands and face burning and then a big gust of wind came. It made for a fun picture. (The wind I mean, not her suffering!!)



My Dad made this sled thing out of junk from our garage. Matthew (my little brother) had a great time being pulled behind my Dad's truck. And of course Clay is sitting in the bed of the truck to the good shot. They looked hilarious going down our street!

We had a fun and quiet visit with my family. We were so thankful they came here instead of us traveling with two little ones to FLA. Thank you so much Dad, Mom, and Matt. We know it was a sacrifice for the born and raised Floridians!