A Benefit for Jack

Every day, I wake up, make breakfast, pack a lunch for Lance, go to the bus stop, go home, clean up, spend time with the kiddos and either 1) hop on the computer and work for a bit or 2) get the younger 2 kids ready for the day and off to the YMCA so I can workout. Come home, make lunch, get 1 kiddo off to bed and the other content. Then maybe more work or clean up, or something else. Every day is much of the same, barely variating in any which direction. Consisting of different degrees of family dedications and errands.

This past fall, my every day "normal" was severely shaken. As most of you know, we almost lost our youngest son Jack. You can read about his story HERE. This situation opened our eyes. Woke up our hearts and souls. Really shocked us to the core as a family. We realized that everything about our lives was being taken for granted. We are good people and try to live a good life for our Lord, Jesus Christ. But we realized that we are nothing without Him and His love for us. We were taking that for granted. We realized that we are surrounded by amazing friends, family and community members. We were taking them for granted. We are surrounded by our own precious children's Love and the Love we share for each other as a family. We were taking each other for granted. Just the fact that we were living each day in a rutt, never really too much going on around us, was a HUGE eye opener! And now we know, we were taking our Lives for granted...

After coming home at the end of November from the Hospital. We were asked by a patron of my work, if we would mind her hosting a benefit for Jack. I told her we would think about it. We had the mindset that there were so many more people out there more deserving, more in trouble. We found out there were several people that wanted to do this for us. We were shocked. We decided to go ahead and say yes to having a benefit for Jack...here's the flyer that explained what it was all about...

This past weekend, the benefit for Jack took place. There was a poker tournament, silent auction, spaghetti feed, music and entertainment, and lots of family, friends, and community members present for the benefit. There were so many terrific donations for the silent auction from friends, family, and different businesses around town. Ranging from a diamond necklace, a shop radio, professional nature pictures, a beautiful purse, gorgeous hand embroidered dish clothes {the most beautifully crafted I have ever seen}, many gift certificates, beautiful quilt and many other items. I wanted to bid on several items myself because I love a silent auction, but knew that that wasn't what they were donated for, so I watched them go to new homes. I was excited because everyone was excited and happy bidding! I talked to several people that night, lots of people I didn't even know. My head was feeling dizzy. I couldn't wrap my head around the evening. I had even forgotten that the event was put together for Jack! I was just so happy to talk to so many friends and family and community members. I'm still in awe of all the support. We were all there to celebrate and honor Jack, his continuing health struggly, and his happy, carefree way about him...

But there is one special event of the evening that stole my heart. I am a person of many words. I talk all the time, non stop in fact. I hate silences, to me any silence is an awkward silence. But I literally became speechless at the end of the silent auction. At the start of the evening, a community member brought in a GORGEOUS quilt made by a group of gals that this is what they do. They make quilts to be donated. I was in love with this quilt at first sight, but knew I could not bid on this item. So I said my goodbyes and waited for it to find a new home. I was happy at the end of the silent auction to hear that my uncle Bob had won this gorgeous quilt because I knew it was going to a good home. He seemed pretty pleased to have "won" this beautiful quilt. So I took pictures of him and I with the quilt. He writes out the check, hands it to the person in charge, and then hands me the quilt. My jaw dropped. Did he know my inner desires? Did he know I "coveted" this quilt? I mean, he paid a LOT of money for this piece and I didn't think it was right that he paid so much for it and then gave it away...I couldn't talk. I just kept hugging him and asking if he was serious? He assured me that he wanted me to have the quilt. So I brought it home with me and every time I look at it, I am reminded of my uncle and the selfless act he made to purchase the quilt and then give it away. I am truly spoiled and blessed. I also think of all the special people who made the quilt, and all the countless of family, friends and community members that came out to support us. I don't think I could ever look at this quilt and NOT be reminded of all the memories associated with it...not to mention how GORGEOUS it is!!!

I'm thankful for Heather E. who put on the benefit for us and her helpers: Vance, Anthony, Kelly, Christiana, Ginger, Jim, Jack, Etc. These are some amazing peopl...I am in awe of Gods work in helping us to pay our medical bills from everything Jack has gone through over the past year. Words cannot express my gratitude. I just hope someday soon, I am able to pay it forward. For all that has been given to me and my family, I feel it is my duty to some day be able to give back as much as I have been given. I look forward to that day. I feel truly blessed and rewarded to be given this opportunity. There will be a HUGE burden lifted off of our shoulders when we sit down the next time we do our bills and write a check to pay off the majority of our medical bills. I know there have been many sleepless nights and many prayers said in regards to worrying about all the bills getting paid.

The prayer that has gotten me through everything comes from Jeremiah 29:11...The entire time we were in and out of the doctors offices trying to figure out what was going on with Jack, the 4.5 days Jack was in a coma,  the entire 2 weeks in the hospital, all the doctor visits since, and every day I constantly think of these words. I draw strength from their meaning and know that I can get through anything. So I will leave you with these parting words: "For I know the plans I have for you" Declares the Lord. "Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future".

Strawberry Cobbler

Hey everyone!

Happy Tuesday! Today, with windchill, is -40 degrees outside. Yesterday there was no school, but I am convinced it would have been closed anyways. Today, school is 2 hours late. Just crazy cold out there the past few days! So...to help warm up our bellies, I decided to make a warm desert. Turned out so super nummy that I thought I would share with you all!!! Hope you enjoy, and if you decide to adapt it to fit your own pallet, please share as I'm always interested in tasting new ventures!!! 
Strawberry Cobbler

1 stick of butter, melted

1 Egg

1 c. Sugar

1 c. Milk

1 c. Flour

2 tsp. Baking Powder

1/2 tsp. Salt

1/2 tsp. Vanilla

3 lbs. Strawberries {Fresh or Frozen, tops off}

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Poor melted butter into 9x13" glass baking dish
3. In a stand mixer, lightly beat egg, add sugar, add flour, baking powder, salt, milk and vanilla. Beat until smooth {about 3 min}.
4. Poor into baking dish, do not stir!
5. Top with strawberries.
6. Bake for 45 min. Serve hot with icecream!!!

Christmas Cupcake Wreath

Hello everyone!

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and wish you all many blessings to you and yours this holiday season and with the coming new year!!!

Things have been plenty busy around here. Between doctor apts, a surgery for Adam {no worries, he is doing well, just needed to have a little procedure done}, work, illustrations, graphics, kids home for vacation, christmas, etc., there doesn't leave a heck of a lot left to just sit and relax!

Today is another family Holiday gathering. We are sure to have some fun with games, conversations and much laughter. Each family is suppose to bring something to share, and I chose to bring a Cupcake Wreath! My niece Ayla {age 6.5} helped me make the frosting and decorate the cupcakes...such a wonderful helper she is! {Her mom took this picture, she is a wonderful photographer, but it doesn't hurt to have such a gorgeous girl to photograph either! LOL...Looks like it came out of a GAP ad or something!}

All you have to do is make the cupcakes, frost, place in a circle and decorate! Pretty simple. I just used a white cake recipe and then White Buttercream Frosting! I've attached the recipe in case you don't have enough recipes saved already! LOL...

White Buttercream Frosting

1 c. Shortening

1 c. Butter, soft, but not at room temp

2 tsp. Clear Vanilla Extract

1 tsp. Clear Almond Extract

1/4 tsp. Salt

8 c. Powdered Sugar

5 Tlbp. Whole Milk or Heavy Cream

1. Cream shortening & butter until smooth and creamy.

2. Add extracts & salt.

3. Add powdered sugar a little at a time, mixing until incorporated after each addition.

4. Add milk/cream until you reach desired consistency. Tint & Frost away!

Scalloped Potatoes & Ham Soup

Hey everyone! Happy Monday!

Just wanted to quickly share with you a recipe I created for leftover holiday ham! It was a definite hit in my house, so hopefully you like it as well! Hope you all have a great day!

Scalloped Potatoes and Ham Soup

2-3 c. Cooked Ham, Roughly chopped
4 c. Potatoes, cubed
1 Tlb. Garlic, Minced
3 c. Chicken Stalk
5 Tlb. Butter
5 Tlb. Flour
1 Red Onion, Chopped
3 Celery Stalks, Chopped
2 c. Milk
2 c. Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
S&P To Taste

1. In a roasting pan, boil potatoes & celery in chicken stalk.
2. Meanwhile, melt butter in a pan over med-high heat, add flour and whisk together to form a paste and cook 2 min. Slowly whisk in milk until thick and creamy. Cook 5 min, stirring occasionally. Add cheddar cheese and stir until smooth and everything is melted.
3. Once potatoes are at a boil, reduce heat and add milk & cheese mixture. Add ham and cook all at a medium heat for 20 min.
4. Serve & enjoy!!!

Happy Holidays everyone!

2012 Christmas Sugar Cookies

Hey everyone!

Hope this holiday is finding you well!

This week, I decided to make some Christmas Sugar Cookies. They turned out pretty cute, but I was so distracted, I didn't finish some of them. Oh well, that's allowed right? Anyways, just wanted to share the cookies with you all and the fabulous Icing recipe!!! Hope you enjoy!

ROYAL ICING

5 Tlb. Meringue Powder
3/4 c. Warm Water
1/2 tsp. Peppermint Extract
1 tsp. Cream of Tartar
4.5 c. Powder Sugar

In a stand mixer, mix together Meringue Powder & Warm Water for 30 seconds. Add Extract and mix for 30 seconds. Add Cream of Tartar and mix for 30 seconds. Slowly add in Powder Sugar...once all the sugar is added, Whisk at a Med-High speed for 10 minutes.

When tinting, add 1 Tlb. of Warm Water to thin out the icing to desired consistency...Decorate & enjoy!

Cookie Exchange: Peppermint Meringues

Hey everyone!

Today's Christmas Cookie Exchange proved to be even funner than the previous years, if that is even possible. The topic was still my sisters balls {Christmas Cookie Balls, mind out of the gutter people!}, her belches and her farts...man, why do I claim her again? LOL...

Anyways, this year, it seemed that the nummiest treats stayed on the menu, but there was also more festive goodies to be introduced! This year, to keep things festive I made Russian Tea Cakes with a twist and Peppermint Meringues. Since all the tea cakes gotten eaten up {well, the ones that I brought home anyways! LOL}, I don't have a picture to share of them, but I do have the Peppermint Meringues to share with you!!!

Peppermint Meringues
{Yields 60-90 depending on size}

6 egg whites
1.5 c. White Granulated Sugar
1.5 tsp. Peppermint Extract {Will smell strong, but deludes as it bakes}

Preheat oven to 150 degrees. Line baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

In a double Broiler, combine sugar and egg whites, and whisk slowly until sugar dissolves {about 4-5 min.}. Transfer to a stand mixer and using whisk attachment, whip egg whites until stiff peaks form. Slowly stir in extract. Once extract is stirred in, beat on a high speed until stiff peaks form again.

Prepare your piping bag with a star tip, using a paint brush and food coloring, paint the inside of the bag even down to the tip. I used 2 different colors. Gently add your egg white mixture to the bag and pipe small stars on your lined baking sheets.

Bake at 150 degrees for 1 hour and 45 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to come to room temperature {about 30 minutes}...Enjoy!

Hope you all have a wonderful Holiday and that God is truly blessing each of your lives. God's grace and love are amazing and I'm so thankful for all he has blessed me with this year!!!

Our Elf ~ Christopher

Hey everyone!

For my birthday, my mother in law got me a Christmas Elf {Similar to the o-so-popular Elf on a Shelf} named Christopher that came with a story on how he came to be. I opened it up and had a big ol' grin on my face and the kids were even more happy because they thought my birthday gift was actually for them...silly boys. Anyways, that night, we read the story on our elf Christopher...it's been a real big hit every morning since.

So after putting the kiddos to bed, I went on Pinterest and started pinning Elf on a Shelf mischief because I've never actually pinned the previous 10K I saw before owning my own...lol. Found lots of fun ideas, and have put some to good use. The first night Christopher climbed up to the top of the tree and must have dropped the star or something because he was hanging on to the star and the tree for dear life. He's played some Super Nintendo one morning, that didn't prove to be such a smart idea because Lance almost missed the bus he got so into the moment! LOL...So, after 1 week of doing ideas only found off of Pinterest, I decided to try my hand at my own ideas!!!

So this morning, we woke up to Christopher and his friends having a WWE wrestling match...The boys absolutely loved this one. I had a lot of fun setting things up. It was a tag team match between the figures. One opponent had another wrapped in the ropes and was pommeling him, while his partner had the other guys partner passed out on the ground and was about to body slam him. Who knew I liked wrestling so much I would get into it like that?!?!?! The elf brings out my mischief side to be sure!!!

Anyways, hope you enjoyed my first Christopher posting! Have a great day and many blessings to you and yours!