Eric called me into his room today to check out his “picture frame” … he had two..the other was a circle ‘hung’ (resting on his shelves) in his closet!  They both had something inside (this one has an additional piece of geotrax)!  I thought it was so cute..

(pardon the VERY dirty windows)

I thought that the Pastors at East Zorra Church did a wonderful job so I am sharing a piece of the message with you:

“…Over the 22 months that Aaron lived he was starting to get familiar with the family bedtime prayer. “Now I lay me down to sleep. I pray the Lord my soul to keep. If I should live for other days, I pray Thee, Lord, to guide my ways. God bless Dad and mom…..”

I wonder if today as Aaron rests in the arms of Jesus, held by God, if Jesus is teaching Aaron a slightly revised version of this prayer.  With that wonderful smile maybe Aaron is learning to pray: “Now I lay me down to sleep. I know the Lord my soul will keep. I now will live for eternity as I live with Jesus so joyfully. So God bless Aaron’s dad and mom, and Dathan, Michaiah, Drystin, Fayth and Miryam, grandma and grandpa Bender and , Uncle Rob,  and God bless grandpa and grandma Streutker, and Aunt Tracy, and Uncle Kevin, & Aunt Dawn and Eric and Jeremy and Uncle Jason & Aunt Rebecca and Issac and Grace and all my many friends; God, Bless them all. AMEN”

~Pastor Ray Martin

Kevin’s nephew, Aaron, just under 2 years old passed away suddenly this week. We are still in shock, but thank ful for all the visits and prayer received this week.  Evidenced by the long lines at the funeral home and much help and welcoming we have received from their family and church.

We teased at the visitations that everyone was either a cousin of Todd’s or from East Zorra on the 16th!

Here is a link to the Obituary.

My mom didn’t know what she was getting into by volunteering to watch the kids for a couple hours thrusday night…I asked if she’d fold a load of laundry while the kids were in bed…little did she know that at the bottom of that load (or maybe 2) were unmatched socks galore!

This is what I came home to:

Just a little Thank you to everyone who helped us this week!

I also want to say thanks to our neighbor for cutting the grass (and getting rid of the leaves), Mel for watching the kids for a long day on friday, our relief milker for friday night so Kev could stay with us and Mom & Dad for taking them again on Saturday and filling my fridge full of food!  Aunt Mare (Lori) for the squares and tomatos!  AND all my clients for being patient this week with the delayed emails, phone calls and orders!

Today I am reminding you how quickly life can change…

Take extra time with your kids and everyone that you love, be patient with them…show them just how much you love and care for them!

I love my charms…it’s my ‘everyday’ necklace wear!  The kids know which stone represents their birth date…(Eric is very disappointed that Jeremy’s is green)

I have a Dec birthstone, Aug birthstone a K for Kev and the long slim ones says ‘love’…

It’s my favorite item that Stella & Dot carries…check out their site…

The Controversial Taco Salad!

Fry Together:

1 lb hamburg

1 package taco seasoning mix

1 onion

(peppers work well in here too)

1 head lettuce

2 chopped tomatoes (you can reduce and use some salsa instead-my choice)

8 oz Catalina

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Toss all together.  Add 1/2 bag of crushed Doritos just before serving.

So, is this a meal?  A question we often toss around at our house…my dear sister claims that this is a meal…my husband strongly disagrees…he needs a side of BEEF with this…usually I toss a burger on the bbq for him…since I’m slicing lettuce & tomato anyway he has a fully topped burger and a we’re all happy!

This is Jer’s plate…he picked out all the chips and then handed it back to me… ha ha…he had part of Kev’s burger…even 2 days after Halloween, chips for supper, isn’t quite enough!

CHIPS…# ONE handed out treat this year…

I love this family picture!  Love the all natural light and it’s indoors!

Thanks so much for inviting me back time and again!