Punkin Fun!

It's been YEARS since I've carved a pumpkin. But I'm really glad we did this year...the roasted pumpkin seeds are FABULOUS!

There's No Crying In Football!!

BooBoo has always been a big boy (in size), but he's not particularly tough. He's very tender-hearted, and at times can be quite sensitive. But...he's a natural at ball handling, and wanted to try football this season. We signed him up, and after the first practice, he was ready to quit. It was tough! It's one thing to be able to throw a perfect spiral, catch and handle the ball like a pro, and it's a completely different thing to run drills, exercise, and condition while wearing all the pads, gear, helmet, etc. His coaches were tough, but very fair, and wouldn't allow Matthew to make excuses or give up.

It all paid off!! Hated it, ready to quit, cried through the first couple of practices, and tonight, he was incredibly sad that the season is over. He made HUGE improvements in every way, and though we, as parents, are super proud of him, it was particularly nice to sit and hear the coaches give him accolades in front of his peers and other parents. It was a nice way to end the season, and we are SO thankful for this experience. And...he'll be back next year! :) (after the coaches were done speaking about Boo, of course, I was crying...to which the Hubster replies, "there's no crying in football!!"...what we've been telling Boo from the beginning! :)...)

Wonderful Weekend!

I know I already told ya'll how busy my week was last week, so I'll just follow it up by saying it was great, but thank God it's over! :)

Parent teacher conferences were last Tues. & Wed., and because they have 1/2 days of school, the PTO provides a lunch for the teachers on the first 1/2 day. I am the Hospitality Chairperson for such functions, so I was responsible for taking care of this. I had a picture, but I accidently deleted it from my camera while trying to download. :( We had Boo's conference and he is the proud recipient of all A's & B's on his report card. Way to go buddy!!

My niece was getting married this past weekend, and I was doing all the cake, food, etc. for that, so I had to shop and start preparing things early in the week. That consumed a LOT of my time. Plus trying to work in a daily 1-1 & 1/2 hour workout each day, and other normal family activities. But it all came off with a wonderful "hitch" and the bride and groom are off for a few days "honeymooning".



Friday, our dear, precious friends welcomed their new little guy into the world and of course, I had to go squeeze him a bit. He's beautiful, and they're absolutely giddy with love and excitement. Such a tiny little bean! :)



Saturday, Boo played in his final football game of the season. He was pretty sad that the season is over. They WON their game, so ended with a 5-2 record, and we couldn't be more proud of him. He came a LONG way from crying at the first practice, saying he wanted to quit, to being sad that the season is over. :) He played his little heart out on Saturday and his big sister and her friends were all there to cheer him on with mom, dad and grandpa!







Then, I took Boo to our small local theater last night and we watched HSM3....topping the weekend off with a good dose of "CHEESE". :)



Blessings!!
Kim

What A Week It Will Be!!

I'm trying hard to not think about everything, all at once, that have to happen this week. I'm going to be organized and have a list of the happenings of each day made out so I won't forget anything.

The best part of this week?? My Peanut is coming home for a visit next weekend!!! I cannot tell you, in words, how much I've missed her. I think that this is the longest I've ever gone without seeing her. 9 1/2 weeks! I'm so very thankful she's a strong, independent, brilliant young woman, but she's still my baby girl...and I have to stop talking about this now.....only 5 more days!!!

Memories & Prayers

Today, October 15, is the National Day of Remembrance for Pregnancy & Infant Loss. (through miscarriage, stillbirth or early infant loss) Though it's been 10 years since the loss of our triplets, and the pain does indeed lessen each year, I don't ever want to forget. To forget what they looked like, to forget holding them in my arms as they drew their last breaths, to forget the peace that overwhelmed us as we said good-bye. And I also never want to forget the comfort that God has granted us over the years, through his Word, through the prayers of others, and the kindness and gentleness of friends and family who remember with us.

Also, please visit Angie's site, and pray for the hundreds of women who are, this day, grieving the loss of their children.

As for me, today, I don't ask for prayers for myself, but for those who have had to experience the heartache and have not been able to come to a place of peace, knowing that their child is playing at the feet of Jesus, and that someday, if we trust Him, we'll be seeing them again.

Blessings!
Kim

Fall into Flavor...this week's recipe!

Well, I'm going to post a most amazing buttery, yummy, fall recipe, but I cannot take the credit. It's a Paula Deen. And when Paula's involved, you KNOW it has butter!! I've made these today for a small catering I was hired to do this evening. These, and Chocolate Caramel Layer Squares, and Apple Dumplings. Man oh man, is the butter flowin' at MY house today!!

Pumpkin Gooey Butter Cake

Cake:
• 1 (18 1/4-ounce) package yellow cake mix
• 1 egg
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling:
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 8 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 (16-ounce) box powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon nutmeg
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well with an electric mixer. Pat the mixture into the bottom of a lightly greased 13 by 9-inch baking pan.
To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and pumpkin until smooth. Add the eggs, vanilla, and butter, and beat together. Next, add the powdered sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and mix well. Spread pumpkin mixture over cake batter and bake for 40 to 50 minutes. Make sure not to overbake as the center should be a little gooey.
Serve with fresh whipped cream.

Make at your own risk! :) YUMMMMmmm!!

Blessings!
Kim

Hope

I was praying this morning, for a friend, who's husband died last week...at age 49...massive heart attack. I've been praying for my dear friend, for their 19 year old daughter who just started college, for his many MANY friends who will, and have undoubtedly traveled from miles and miles around to grieve his loss today and tomorrow...and in the weeks and months ahead. And I've had peace....peace that I've experienced many times before, and peace that I pray each of you can know and embrace.

The Hope of the Resurrection
13 And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died[a] so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and was raised to life again, we also believe that when Jesus returns, God will bring back with him the believers who have died.

Blessings!
Kim

Think Think Think

My heart and mind are full of thoughts and prayers this afternoon. I feel very tender-hearted, like I could "blow" (not with anger, but with tears) at any second...and for those of you who know me personally, I'm like a faucet that can't be stopped sometimes! I receive the Proverbs 31 Ministries devotions each day, and today's spoke to me in a very gentle, but eye-opening way. I want to be able to say, with my entire heart, that no matter what, Jesus is enough.

With Tender Blessings,
Kim

Fall Into Flavor

To play along with Linda's Fall Into Flavor, this is a different version of a breakfast casserole. My Grandma passed this recipe on to me, but I'm not sure where she got it. If you like hard-boiled eggs and cheese, you can't go wrong with this...it has LOTS of flavor and definitely not low-fat OR healthy eating. But it's mighty good! Now that the holidays are approaching, there are more opportunities to have breakfast and brunch get-togethers. (at least there are in my family)


SCALLOPED BACON & EGGS

1 cup onion, chopped
½ cup butter or margarine
½ cup flour
4 cups milk
1 # Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 ½ dozen hard cooked eggs, sliced
5 cups plain potato chips, crushed
1 ½ # bacon, fried & crumbled

1. Preheat oven to 325°.

2. In medium/large saucepan, cook onions in butter/margarine until tender and transparent. Blend in flour, milk & cheese to make a sauce. Cook on medium heat, stirring constantly until thick.

3. In a large casserole baking dish, make 2 layers in this order: eggs, sauce, chips, bacon.

4. Bake at 325° until hot through, about 30-45 min. Serves 15. Enjoy!

Fall Festing!

Hoping for and planning on a completely relaxing weekend with my family. I'm headed to the gym in just a few minutes, then stopping to get my nails done...hey, a girl's got to have her priorities! ;)

Boo's school has their Fall Festival today, so we'll be cake walking and playing games and probably bringing home a new water friend...why oh why do they have the goldfish game!?!

It's supposed to be a beautiful day! Enjoy!

Blessings!
Kim

Honey, I think it's time to turn on the heat!

Brrrr.......it's a blustery 47 degrees here this morning! I'm bundled up in my bathrobe, drinkin' a cuppa joe, excited about the weather and the day and the activities this evening!

I need to figure out some "snacky finger foods" for tomorrow...it's a PBA day (1/2 day of school) and the PTO provides snacks for the teachers for the afternoon. I'm the hospitality chairman, so I'd best get on the ball!

After my workout late this morning I'm having lunch with a friend! I love lunching with friends!!!! This particular friend has been in my life for several years. She is wise and fun and encouraging and challenging! (not as a person, but she challenges me to be what God is calling me to be and to speak into other people's lives!) So I'm looking forward to spending time with her!

This afternoon is a whirlwind of activity, and then we get to my favorite part. Boo has a football game tonight! All wrapped up in my hoodie and blanket, drinking coffee and cheering on my little man and his team is one of the things on my list of favorite things to do! :) Think I'll put on a pot of soup to warm us up when we get home from the game!

GO STEELERS!!!! (my son's Jr. League football team name....NOT to be mistaken as the "other" Steelers!! I'm a COLTS fan through and through!!)

Blessings!
Kim