Happy Thanksgiving!

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Thanksgiving

Today my friend Amber made a list of the things she is Thankful for. It inspired me to do the same. God has blessed our family so richly that it's going to be hard to narrow everything down. I need not only be thankful during this time of year, but all year long. I seem to get bogged down with all the negativity and I need to stop and be grateful for what God has given me on a daily basis, not just at Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Togetherness: time with Adam, Shelby, Bethany and all my family and friends.

HOLY Word of God/Bible: God's instruction manual.

Adam: my high school sweetheart, the love of my life.

Necessities.

Kindness.

Shelby and Bethany: my two beautiful daughters.

Good news.

Imagination.

Victories big and small.

Innumerable blessings.

New life.

God's abounding love and saving Grace.

Everyone, have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Tree Trimming Time

Patches found a new napping spot underneath the tree

We are going to be traveling for Thanksgiving so we decided to get the tree up early this year. I have never put our tree up this early before. We listened to Christmas music and sang along as we trimmed the tree. Bethany even got in on the action this year!

Which is Which?

Now that I have cut Bethany's bangs (for the very first time!) I can see that she looks even more like her big sis. It's uncanny! Can you tell which is which?

Shelby's Birthday Party

Gabby, Miranda, Shelby and Annabelle

When: Saturday, November 15, 2008

Time: 3:00

Where: Shelby's House

Shelby just HAD to have a Hannah Montana themed birthday party this year. She requested a rainbow birthday cake. I made lime punch (Sprite and lime sherbet), pigs in a blanket and green grapes. Shelby invited 3 of her closest friends. She had a sleepover following the party. I wasn't sure how the sleepover was going to turn out with there being 5 girls with ages ranging from 17 months to 6, but it went well. We rented Kung Fu Panda (which didn't get watched, except by Adam), the girls played and played and played and then requested to watch Cinderella III before going to bed. That seemed to settle them down. They were all actually asleep by 9 pm! Can you believe it?

Bethany Update

Since the rash scare (allergic reaction to penicillin), Bethany's been one sick little girl. She's been throwing up and having runny diapers for about three days. I know, TMI! After talking to Dr. Beights, (our beloved cousin who's a chiropractor) she suggested that her illness could be due to her body trying to rid itself of the penicillin or she could have caught a virus after being on antibiotics. I tend to lean towards her body ridding itself of the penicillin. None of us have caught anything (thank goodness!) I just wish she would get better soon. She's not eating very much but I'm trying to give her as much as she can drink. Jen also told me she needed some probiotics so I'm getting some yogurt to give her and hopefully that will help.

Beautiful Six-Year-Old

Six years ago...Monday, November 11, 2002...10:12 pm...beautiful Shelby Lynn entered the world and our hearts forever! She weighed 7 lbs. 3 oz. and was 19 1/2 in. long. She had a head full of dark brown hair and the prettiest dark blue eyes you have ever seen. She didn't make a peep at first, just kind of looked around and checked everything out. As soon as the nurses started poking and prodding, the most beautiful sound to our ears could be heard: Shelby's FIRST cry! Adam and I were so happy! She was perfect and better than anything we had dreamed! Now our precious daughter is six today. I can't believe it. People have always told me to treasure every moment because they go by way too fast. Well, they were right. She's in kindergarten now and flourishing. She's the sweetest, most compassionate little girl I have met. She's always got a smile and positive attitude (except when she's tired) and she is crushed when she feels like she has disappointed Mom or Dad. It has been a WONDERFUL six years so far and I can't wait for what the coming years hold. Shelby is very much loved by Mommy, Daddy and Sissy! I hope she has a great day today!

Scary RASH!

What started out to be some small dots on Bethany's face had quickly spread over her whole entire body yesterday. I could not figure out what was causing the rash. It was horrible. It made her cheeks look really rosy. There were red bumps covering her whole body. To be on the safe side we decided to take her to the ER last night. We were afraid it could affect her breathing since the rash was spreading so quickly. The doctor concluded that she is allergic to penicillin (which she had already been on for 5 days.) What a scare!

Party Pinwheel Recipe

I made these Party Pinwheels for a baby shower for a friend of mine . It was my first time to make them and I thought they turned out pretty tasty. Here's the recipe:

8 oz. sour cream

8 oz. cream cheese, softened

1-4 0z. can green chilies, well drained

1 c. grated Cheddar Cheese

1/2 c. chopped green onion

Garlic to taste

Seasoned salt to taste

5 or so 10" flour tortillas

Mix all the filling ingredients together thoroughly. (I used a mixer for the sour cream and cream cheese to make it really creamy and smooth.) Divide the filling and spread evenly over the tortillas; roll up tortillas. Cover tightly w/ plastic wrap, twisting ends; refrigerate several hours. Unwrap; cut in slices 1/2 in. -3/4 in. thick. (I used a serrated knife so they wouldn't get smushed.)

Costume Cuties

Bethany the Ladybug and Shelby as Hannah

Sing it!

"I'm about to take this hat off!"

Miley and Fairy Princess (Gabby). Aren't they so pretty?!


Those are some cute ladybugs!
Zoe and Bethany

We had a fun trick-or-treat night last night. We loaded up and collected goodies at the Rec. Center, Trunk-or-Treat (at our church), and family's houses. Shelby started out as Hannah Montana but later ended up as Miley because she couldn't stand to wear the wig! Bethany wore Shelby's first Halloween costume, so she was a ladybug. She didn't want to keep her little antennae on! The girls got lots and lots of candy...lots of chocolate! Yay!

Perfect Attendance Award!

Shelby at the Awards Assembly on Friday

Shelby had perfect attendance at school for the first nine weeks. She received a free pass to a high school basketball game! YAY, Shelby!!