Another Soul......

Another soul has been saved! Another name inscribed in the Lambs Book of Life!! Trent asked Jesus to come into his life yesterday afternoon. We were talking about people dying and he was saying that everyone gets a new body. I told him, only those that have asked Jesus to be their Saviour get a new body and live in Heaven.

He said 'I want Jesus to live in my heart'! and then he said "I want to pray right now!" We closed our eyes and he said "Jesus come live in my life and help me be a servant" ....no kidding, those were his exact words, with no coaching from me.

I could have walked him down this road of salvation a couple of different times but I didn't. My reasoning...I wanted HIM to truly desire it....not by me scaring him or 'talking him in to it'. I know he is only six......but he was very insistent this time. We have talked about death and dying because we have lost a grandmother. I know I could have got him to do this about a year ago when we were talking about dying......but it seemed like I had answered his questions at the time and he didn't pursue anymore questions....so I left it alone.

I hope he will always recall this Sunday afternoon and the choice he made.....

A New Twist....

I was thinking the other day, that I would start a new twist to my old blog.....a recipe of the month.....'Raving Recipes'.



The thought came to me the other day when I made a meal for Josh & Amy. I was talking to Amy, a couple days after that meal and we were talking about the recipe. I was telling her how I like simple and easy with a only a few ingredients....she agreed. I was thinking...I should post it on my blog, so she can look at the recipe and so others might benefit from it too!...an idea was born.

So here goes my first attempt...... I thought it might be fun, if you do happen to try it, you could post your thoughts under my comments.....good or bad.


Beef & Cheese Enchiladas-

2--10 oz. cans Enchilada Sauce
1 lb. fried burger
2--8 oz. shredded cheese
10 med. soft shells (can also use smaller size..just won't each sides of pan)

-Mix meat, 1-8oz cheese and ½-¾ can of sauce....set aside.
-Spread rest of sauce, in can, in bottom of 9x13 pan. (turn pan to cover bottom)
-Spoon meat mixture on shells; dividing between shells. (I lay out shells, then put a scoop on each till it is all gone) spread the length of shell.
-Roll up shells and put seam side down in pan.
-Top with rem. sauce and then rest of cheese
-350° for 20-25 min.

**less spicy version......1 can of Enchilada sauce & 1 can of tomato sauce. Mix together before using in recipe


These will all be simple recipes...I am no gourmet cook. Let me know your thoughts.....

Our 'Big' Birthday Boy....

Tyler is officially 'Sweet 16'! It's hard for me to even comprehend that he has blessed our life for 16 years! I can hardly remember back to the day we brought him home from the hospital.

I went 'digging' for some old picture of him to give you an idea of how cute he was as a little kid! He's just as handsome as he was back then.....just with longer hair! Look at those blond locks...people pay big bucks for that color! He has grown into such a wonderful young man...we are so proud of him!


Troy and Tyler enjoying a beater

This was taken the summer after his Kindergarten year! Check out his toenails...we painted them to look like lady bugs!

Jaxi Got A Package.....

Jaxi got a package in the mail today.......you can see what was in it! She is devouring it. I thought it looked kinda gross.....but she's lov'in it. She must have a good smeller on her because even as I was opening the package, she came and sat by me with a look of anticipation...I think she was even licking her lips!

Notice the 'grip' she has on the bone. Thanx Gina for not liking your treats and sharing them with Jaxi. She's in doggy heaven!

A New Phase......

I've entered a new phase of my life...it's called go hang with a friend for the day! It's a great phase to be in! Renee came to town with Jim today and had nothing to do for the day! We meet on Alpine and just plain enjoyed our day together! We shopped and had lunch and a little more shopping! We didn't buy much but covered a lot of ground!

We had lunch at Qdoba, as you can see...Renee had never been there...I've been twice. It's a nice change from McD's!

The rest of the phase......kids can stay home for the day by themselves.....that also is a great phase! They can actually get something to eat on their own and best part...the house wasn't trashed. They actually picked up their dirty dishes....WOW!

Tyler returned from Lake Ann Camp and had a great week! Ken R. is an exceptional speaker...LA is very fortunate to have him! Tyler said he would like to go work their next summer??? He has been great to be around since he came home...I know, I seemed shocked! Well it is shocking..I was prepared for an tired teenager with an attitude.....he's been wonderful...I hope he can stay for awhile! *Ü*

Breakfast.....

I got up this morning and made pancakes with the help of Trent. He cracked the eggs (and got no shells in), put in the water and oil. His favorite part is stirring the batter. He likes to help me cook, which I'll have to admit, drives me a little crazy at times. He did well this morning and as soon as the first batch was cooked, he had other things to do!!

Troy has actually been a great cook himself. Yesterday he baked cookies I had mixed up and did a great job at watching them. He also is pretty good at Quesadillas.

With having Celiac Disease, I feel like I have to help them learn to do somethings for themselves. I won't always be there to over see their eating choices. Not only that, I'm working on making them into good husbands someday.

Troy said this morning "are you going to blog all our meals now?"

Maybe every Friday with be pancake Friday?.....

Goodbyes....

Goodbyes are never easy! We had to say goodbye to good friends of ours, Jeff and Carolyn Gregg. Jeff and Carolyn have been apart of the KCBC family for 13 years now.

Jeff was very involved in the Ironmen, meeting every month for breakfast, which he faithfully cooked himself. He's also a good strong guy to have around.

Carolyn and I share a love.....it's, a pretty paper fetish. We love to collect pretty paper and save it because 'they might stop making that one'. She is a talented card maker and stamper. I sure will miss you at craft night.=( She is also a extremely talented singer. God blessed you not only with your share.....but mine too! You have blessed many lives and I'm sure, will continue those blessings in Nevada!

It's been our privilege to get to know both of you over the last 13 years. You will be sorely missed here in Kent City. Continue to 'Go Light Your World', even if it is in Nevada. We wish you much success and enjoyment as you blaze this new trail (I put it that way for Dylan...a quad/motorcycle rider). We hope you can find good friends and a great church to get plugged into.....continue to serve him wherever God plants you.

Don't stay away too long......

Going Soft.....

To the wonderful men in my life..... Thank You! You all have been a blessing in my life in so many different ways. Thank you for helping me become the women I am.



Steve you have been a amazing husband and father and my best friend. You have true patience and compassion. I thank God for bringing you into my life many years ago. Thank you for pursuing me.....you knew a good thing when you saw it! *Ü*

Dad, you have really helped me grow-up in so many ways. Sometimes with a spanking (my sisters will contest....not enough of them!), sometimes with a hug and sometimes with just letting me learn the 'hard way' but you have done a great job. Thank you for being a protector and provider. You had a great work ethic....you worked a lot of Saturdays, so you could take us on vacation or let me have one more pair of jeans! It's been a blessing to call you DAD.



Neil...I wasn't privileged enough to 'grow-up' in your family but you welcomed me in some 20 years later. You raised a wonderful son and father. You were a great example of a Godly man, you sought out a different life for your family and continued to walk down that path with them, which I am eternally grateful for. You must be so proud of your boys and how they have grown up to model your values. All I can say is 'thank you'...you don't know how wonderful my life is because of you and Bonnie.

I didn't originally plan for this post to turn out this way...it just happened. In this world we live in, with the deterioration of fathers and their role, I thought I should take some time to thank the men in my life. We need men in our lives...that's how God intended it. All I can say is that I'm truly blessed!!

We enjoyed a dinner together after church. We grilled steaks, Bonnie brought the Potato Salad, Linda brought Apple Crisp...it was all delicious...and it was a beautiful day in Kent City. We were able to eat out on the deck which doesn't always happen. Jaxi napped one of the steaks while the guys were opening gifts...she made a clean break for the backyard, where she could sit back and enjoy her find. Needless to say, I busted her and had to throw that one away...sneaky little dog.

Four F's.....

Sounds like a bad title?!

The first F.....Family

The second F.....Friends

The third F.......Food

The fourth F......Fun

I listed them in that order on purpose. It's the order of importance in my life! I first need family and friends, which I have wonderful supply of.

I have deep and lasting relationships with my family. I have wonderful friends that enjoy Steve and I's company (I think?). Thanx for helping with the "Yee-Haw" and coming to help me celebrate 40 blessed years.

Food is always high on my priority list too, but not nearly as important as the first two.

Fun also ranks right up there with food....I love to laugh......*Ü*

Relationships are really a highlight in my life. You wonder what will happen down the road as computers, cell phones, mp-3, text message, IM.....become the mode of communication.

Okay here it is.....

Here are the members of the 'hole-in-one' club from our recent Craig's Cruisers trip..... TROY
Julie
Steve (this was a hole that we all took 5's on) It was a almost impossible feat.

The Fun Never Stops!!......

These are random pictures of "Birthday week". Sorry, to those of you that read by way of dial-up. We had a fun time at Craig's Cruisers playing Putt-putt golf, Go carts and video games. At one point we lost Steve, Tyler & Troy, we found them zip'n around on the go-cart track. And no gathering would be complete without some card playing. Troy trying out one of his gifts.......

Julie getting ready to lead off.......(notice the fascination with MD)
Troy turning ThirTEEN!! There will be two in the house now.....they're taking over!)
Putt-Putt Golf at Craig's Cruisers (needless to say I didn't get low score..I blamed it on my hair always getting in my face) Shouldn't they let the b-day girl win!?!
Julie and Dad
The Birthday trio (during our first celebration!)
Dad finishing up his Go cart run.....
Steve behind Tyler, trying to pass on the inside......
We had a blast sharing good old-fashion family fun time! We stopped at Wendy's on the way home for dinner and then back to the house for cake and ice cream. Grandma Elsie and Neil & Bonnie met us there for the celebration. Until next year.......

"AMAZING"......

This is the only word to describe our day last Friday! Linda, Julie and I headed for a day spa in GR. Julie and I started with a massage while Linda got a facial. Amazing....Amazing...Amazing! It was totally awesome. We received a 1 hour treatment and let me tell you, it was one of the shortest 1 hours I have ever experienced! This was only my 2nd massage ever, my first one being in Mexico a couple of years ago.

Okay, I decided, I'm going to do this more than once every 5 years. I ask myself.....How could anyone NOT enjoy a massage???? A massage has moved itself to the top of every gift list I will ever write from this point on! Julie & I found ourselves debating which on of us had the better massage (it was me!!). Linda also, very much enjoyed her facial. We then moved our way to the Pedicure chairs.....where our feet got a real pamper'n. This was my first pedicure and it was another amazing experience! She chiseled away at some callouses and made my feet 'sandal ready'!!
Linda got a manicure (and short counseling session) while we prettied our feet!
Just when you thought it couldn't get any more amazing....we meet the guys on Alpine and made our way to Bonefish Grill. If you are a faithful reader, you might remember our 'Anniversary date' that never made it there. We enjoyed a amazing dinner...not your Logan/Friday type dinner. A upscale dinner menu complete with Macadamia Brownie Sundae, Key Lime Pie, Strawberry Shortcake and Crème brûlée (we sampled all of those!) If you have never visited Bonefish...you will have to put it on your list of must stops..... It was an great day, that is going down in my books as.......AMAZING!!!

Fun in Indiana....

The boys and I had a fun Saturday & Sunday in Indiana. My sister's son graduated from High School. She lives about 6 hours away...so it was a lot of driving...but worth it! It was a whirlwind trip, we left Kent City Saturday morning @ 6am stopped to pick up my other sister and husband (that had gotten in from CA late Friday PM)in GR...and we were off! We stopped twice on the way down for gas, Monster (Tyler) drink and a bear claw (dad). We were making great time till we hit Eden. Apparently, they had a bad storm the night before. We don't think it was a tornado but were straight line winds. We started to see down branches and standing water, then uprooted trees and some that were across the road, but were cut up. We ran into a 'road closed' sign...but that didn't stop Dad (whom I was following!) After we started down this road it became apparent why the sign was there. All the power poles were broken and laying in the road. They literally covered 1 ½ lanes of the road. I had one tire in the ditch and one on the road. I seriously thought that there would be a cop at the other end waiting for us.....handing out tickets. We did make it through but in Troys words "I think I'm gonna need some more deodorant!" There was debris scattered all over the fields...which at one point we thought were dead cows! We will not soon forget the town of Eden!

On to the reason we were there....graduation! We did make it before the ceremony started and Arie did graduate....way to go Arie! He was in the top 10...he is headed off to Rose Hillman in the fall to study Engineering. We are so proud of you!

John, Janice, Arie, Dad and Linda.......
The sisters......Janice, Julie & Joanne
John & Grandma Elsie (she's gonna be 83!). He agreed to give her a Harley ride during the graduation party!
Uncle Tod and Trent taking a walk......
Having a treat on the way home at DQ. We also brought Grandma Elsie back to MI with us.
We had a great time together! We put the boys in one car on the way home and I drove the girls....we had a lot of laughs! It's fun to spend time with people who's company you enjoy! I'm so lucky that it happens to be my family! They are the best! Not everyone has that luxury.....I count it a blessing...twice!