Graduation Day

There are so many things I could post an update on but one of the most important events of late was Thomas and Caleb's Graduation from High School and Kindergarten. They both graduated on Friday June 3. It was a really great night with a lot of wonderful memories. Here are a few pictures...

Caleb before graduation

Reading his book during his ceremony.

Thomas walking down the isle.

Thomas giving his speech.

Pastor with Thomas and Caleb.

All of us...
Dad, Andrew, Thomas, Caleb, Mom and Me

Gingerbread turned Valentines

With the idea stolen from a friend, tonight Caleb and I took our Gingerbread house that just never got made during the holidays, lots of candy and made a Valentine's Day house.

All excited and ready to get started.

The frame work

Concentration

Hard work

And a beautiful finished product...
from the front

and the back...

Continuing the Spirit of Domesticity

Homemade guacamole with Doritos!

Note to self: next time take the seeds out of the pepper!

Cranberry Orange Bread

Lately I have had an overwhelming urge to be domestic, so this morning I made Cranberry Orange Bread with Orange Butter. ( I have a thing for flavored butter, and I have a lot of recipes I want to try.) Paired with a good cup of coffee it made a perfect breakfast!
Not only does this bread taste good, but I love the colors in it.

It's Snowing

Today Caleb stayed home from church because he is sick. When I got home he was pretty much just waking up. I asked him what he thought of the snow while he was playing the wii. He said it was cool, but I wasn't sure if he realized how much snow had already accumulated and how hard it was snowing. Then he came up stairs....

Our Christmas Tree

Last night after church we decorated our Christmas tree! Pretty much everyone got in on the fun. Only one ornament was broken this year.

Mom hanging our new family ornament

Can you tell that Caleb LOVES getting to put the star on top of the tree?!?!
I love that he still has his church socks on with his pjs.

Advent Calendars

Last year during all the after Christmas sales my mom got a playmobil advent calender for Caleb. So late on the eve of December 1 Thomas and I put it all together. Thomas "played" with all the little toys while I put the boxes together.

We hung it up on the wall by Caleb's desk. He is so excited every morning when he gets to open up another box. When all the boxes are opened he will have a fun little playmobil set to play with.

Hear Ye Hear Ye

Caleb has been featured on Cliff Notes! Check it out HERE!

Fall is my Favorite

I absolutely love this time of year. Just about everything about fall is fabulous! I love the colors - all of them. The colors found in nature and the colors found in my closet. And cool fall air, you can't help but love it!. The smell of dry leaves, apple cider, and logs burning in the fireplace...bliss. And then there are all the wonderful scents put out by Yankee Candle.
The thing that I find so interesting about my love of fall is the fact that I was born in the fall, and I have noticed a trend among my family and friends...it seems that most people prefer the season in which they were born. This is definitely not a scientific study, really it is more of a theory. Anyway, here are a few pictures from last fall. I hope you enjoy them.

Caleb & Madison

Quite often Caleb and Madison come to church or a get-together and they match. The funniest part about it is it is never planned! Here a just a few pictures of the two friends.

In the first picture and the last picture both Caleb and Madison are wearing the same outfit but these pictures were taken this spring and last summer respectively.

Thomas performs Mozart

So Others May Live

It is not to often that I post about anything political, but I am compelled to express my gratitude. Gratitude towards all the men and women that risk their lives every day to help keep our country free, and gratitude towards the Almighty God for the protection of those I hold dear while they serve our country.

After the recent helicopter crash I was grateful to hear that a good friend of mine is safe. However he suffers a great loss - the loss of his comrades; his brothers.
"He which hath no stomach to this fight let him depart. But we in it shall be remembered. We few, we happy few, we band of brothers!! For he today, that sheds his blood with me, shall always be my brother”. William Shakespeare

While reading an article about the crash I learned that the 66th Rescue Squadron flies search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation, and disater relief missions. As most may know it was during an aeromedical evacuation that this helicopter was shot down. I also learned that the motto of the 66th Rescue Squadron is "These Things I Do So Others May Live"

Their motto, "These Things I Do So Others May Live", has been ringing through my mind all day. Considering we here in NY are in the middle of a conference I can't help but make a spiritual connection. Just as the 66th Rescue Squadron lives and performs their missions so that others may live, a good man or woman of God lives their life that others may have eternal life.

So not only do I say Thank You to those that give their lives so we may live in freedom, but I also say Thank You to those that live their life so that others see Christ in them.

Monster Cookies

Tonight I decided to make monster cookies, but instead of using plain or peanut M&Ms I used peanut butter.
Here we go all set to roll out the cookies.

I have always thought monster cookies look like bird nests before the bake and spread out.

The finished product.
Do you notice anything(s) specific?
If so leave a comment and let me know....

The Rite of Spring

I saw this video today and thought it would be fun to share on such a beautiful Spring day! You really need to watch it to the end! :) Enjoy!

Fabulous Food

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!
A good friend of mine who is a good cook has started a new blog.
Check out Long Island Cooking and have some Italian for dinner.

Guest Blogger

Recently I was asked to do a review about the FlyLady on a friends blog. I really enjoyed doing the research for this post, and to be sure I was completely informed I even joined the FlyLady's group. As my close friends already know I am a pretty organized person, but the tips and advice given at FlyLady.net has taken what I do on a daily basis to a whole new level. The best advantage of all is more free time to enjoy with family and friends. If you are looking to improve the condition of your home and life and even if you are just a little curious about all this I suggest you head on over to Rachael's blog. Check out my review and get busy Flying!