Quote of the Day

This morning, I was teasing Cherub before we left for work/childcare and said that he looked like a ragamuffin.  In fact, he looked nothing like a ragamuffin--more like a fashionable hiker in a hoodie and vest.  And with his hair pulled back in a ponytail, he looked like the toddler version of this guy:

So when we got to school, he said, "Mommy, you know what I look like? A regular muffin!"  And then hopped out of the mini-van, "White Lightning."

Defeated

This year I was ousted as Pumpkin Champ. :(  My first mistake was letting John see my technique for guessing the weight of the pumpkin. My strategy was to have Cherub and Thumbelina sit like pumpkins and then pick them up which they thoroughly enjoyed.  The second mistake was not going with my gut instinct guess of 37.5 pounds, Cherub's weight.  John guessed 36.5 and I guessed 33.   The pumpkin weighs 38 pounds.

The victor was overjoyed as you can see from the photos.  I will rally again!!!!!
We've been making pumpkin spiced lattes using this recipe and saving lots of money from it.

Falling

Although we got gypped out of a summer here save for the last couple of weeks of August, I can't help being excited about Autumn.  The thought of cool evenings and changing leaves, piles of pumpkins and baking pumpkin bread and soup gets me in the mood for this fun season.  I've been thinking about Halloween costumes for the kids.  We don't dress the kids in witch, ghoulish or scary costumes, but there is a VERY cute witch costume that would be darling on Thumbelina, because, well sometimes, she's a bit of a witch.  Hey, I am, too, so I can't judge her harshly.

During this season, John and I compete for Pumpkin Guesser of the Weight Champ.  The prizes are a coffee of the winner's choice paid by the loser competitor and bragging rights.  Last year's champ was a charming and delightful (and humble) person, if I do say so myself.

So, it's time to push the '66 Valiant out of the garage so that I can climb into the attic and get out the fall decor. It's time to buy some pumpkins and make this delicious soup. It's time to post some photos and recipes on the new blog.  Since I'm the only sister in the Northern Hemisphere, I'll be posting autumn dishes, while Mary and Kate will most likely post summer dishes. Or maybe not. We haven't posted anything yet.  Either way, I hope you'll join us over there and send us your own favorite fall recipes.  We'll post them!

Photo taken at one of my favorite stores near work.  

Wordless Wednesday

Hoh Rain Forest and Ruby Beach

New Blog Coming!

Good morning! Bom Dia! G'day!

I'm very excited about a new fun project in the works with my sisters, Mary and Katie.  We are starting a blog about food, family and faith...oh, and about being on 3 different continents.


We hope to be up and running soon and look forward to your feedback and sharing our recipes and our lives across North America, South America and Australia!

Advice from Adoptive Parents

Dear Adoptive Parents out there in Blog-Land:

What can you tell me about the Adoption Home Study?

Many thanks,
J

Power of Prayer

Tonight the twins will attend a function with their mother, and I will drop them off.  Since it's been a long time since I've spoken with or had any contact with her (her choice, not mine), I'm starting to get a little nervous. Yesterday after court, I told John that sitting there hearing what the parents have done/not done made me think about my own final judgment.  Will my good works and faith plead my case before Our Lord?  The thought was very sobering.  I just emailed a coworker to ask her to pray for me regarding tonight.  The way she prays is very personal, and the way she words things really puts things in perspective for me.  This is what she emailed back to me:

"Lord, Jenny and I come before You and ask that You would remove fear that would only cause Jenny to be distracted from what you have prepared for her to experience when meeting with the kids' mom.  I ask that you would place Your peace that comes from Your heart of grace and mercy that You demonstrated for all of us on the cross.  May Jenny see S with eyes of love, mercy and grace.  There is a reason why You placed the vision of judgment on my sister's mind.  Help her to use that vision as a way she to interact with one that is facing impending judgment of her motherhood.  In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN. "