*side note: crummy pic, because I took it with my cell phone.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!"
2 Cor. 5:17

Since we moved into our home in November, I have been out in our backyard and noticed this plant many times. There are so many plants in our backyard that have looked dead since we moved in, and honestly I've just wanted to tear them out, BUT... Dave and I decided that we would keep all the plants in for a year just to see what each plant looks like in each season. For some reason though, I have always noticed this one specific plant. It has always looked especially dead, and ugly to me. The other day, I was out in the yard with Emmi, and yet again I noticed this plant, and saw that there were little buds of green leaves starting to grow. In that moment, God reminded me how I was the same way. I was dead, and ugly in my sins, but he came and showered his grace upon me, and it brought new life to me. What a sweet moment. Thank you Lord, for those little moments in life, that a hear you speak to me in such a clear way.... all I can say is thank you, LORD.

Great Grandma Ruby's Oatmeal Cookies

Great Grandma Ruby's Oatmeal Cookies

3 cups oatmeal
3 cups flour
2 cups sugar
1/3 cup milk
2 tsp soda
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup veg. oil
1 tbsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Mix all dry ingredients. In bowl, add eggs, milk, vanilla and oil. Add to dry ingredients and mix well. Roll into balls. Press the ball so that its semi-flat. Then print it with a fork. Bake at 325 for 8-10 minutes to suit your taste.

I've gone bananas...

Personally I can't stand the taste of bananas, but the husband love them. So there became a dilemma when the bananas would get a little over ripe. Actually we would just throw them away- so wasteful. Anyway, I found this great recipe for banana bread, and my husband loves it! Even though I don't like the flavor of the bananas, I don't mind the mildness of it in the bread. Try it!

Easy Banana Nut Bread

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. crisco
3 ripe bananas, mashed
2 c flour (I used white flour but next time am going to try wheat)
1 tsp. soda
1 tsp. salt
1 c. nuts (pecans or walnuts)
Cinnamon & Nutmeg (however much you like)

Mix together sugar, Crisco and bananas until well blended. Then add rest of the ingredients. Sprinkle in as much cinnamon and nutmeg as you like and stir the mixture so its all incorporated. Pour into greased and floured loaf pan ( I don't have a loaf pan so I used muffin tin pan). Bake at 350 for 1 hour (if your using the muffin pan then put them in for 30 min- 45 min.) Enjoy! :-)

Happy Christmas!!!!! 2008

Me and Hubby


Gram Darby with her daughter,(Mom Sue) two grandsons (Matt and Dave) and great grandson (erik) :-)


Me and Mom

2009: New Year Resolutions

Yes, I'm going to be typical and post a blog about how I want to be different starting in the new year. Ever since we started the process of buying our house, I feel like life hasn't stopped. I'm constantly busy, and feeling like I don't have time to just stop and be still. I realize how silly that sounds being that I only work part time, and when I'm not working I'm just watching TV or being on the internet- which is ridiculous! Anyway, here is my list of things that I'd like to do better on starting in 2009...

- fall more in love with Christ/read my Bible more
- get to know my hubby more and more
- Get to bed at a decent hour and get up early
- exercise
- eat a healthier diet
- spend more time with family and friends
- Find a hobby
-Make a reading list and actually read them!
-Be a more daring cook, and try out more recipes



Hold me to it folks! :-)

Life in a nutshell...

Well LOTS has happened since the last time I blogged... we got the keys to our house, and spent the first week painting and cleaning it to get ready for move in. Man was it exhausting!! The Saturday after painting we had a move in day, and a ton of friends and family came and helped us. It was such a blessing!!!!!!! So now we are basically all moved in... we still have a few base boards that need to be painted, but I'm hoping that will get done before Christmas (since we are having christmas at our house this year). On Saturday we got our new sofa and ottoman delivered, and it is SO comfortable! We just feel so blessed to be in our first home at Christmastime. The LORD is too good to us, and we are SO thankful. In other news: our dear friends the Ebersoles also just bought their first home. They were such a tremendous help to us while we were moving in, and so we are so glad that we now get a chance to help them. They got their keys last Thursday and are gonna take a few weeks to spruce things up (refinishing the wood floor and painting). It is SUCH a cute place, and I'm so happy for them!!!!!

Our kids (Emmi and Abbey), are doing well. I think since moving into the house that Abby has become a little more mellow. She still has her moments where she will scratch you and purr at the same time. haha! But she has been alot more cuddly. Emmi is growing and growing!!!! I think now she is about full size, and she is so smart. She loves going for walks and going to the dog park. We just love her to pieces!

Dave is well... ever since moving into our house he has just worked so hard on making it look beautiful. He spoils me really. Today dave is at a class (and will be the whole week), for peer fitness training for the fire department. I'm so proud of him.

Well, I think that is pretty much us in a nutshell right now. I'll update more after Christmas.

Lovingly,
j

All Grown Up

We are buying a house :-)