My Sisters, My Mom and My Niece

Can I brag on my sisters, mom and niece? I think it's kosher, and hopefully you won't mind!

My eldest sister didn't do her typical extravagant (and always quite creative) birthday celebration for her eldest this year. Nope. Her planning for her daughter's 13th birthday started way back in early 2008. My insightful sister decided to take her daughter on a missions trip to Guatemala to commemorate this milestone-of-a-birthday! Pretty cool!

About 2 months ago, a team member on that same missions trip to Guatemala had to back out, so my mom stepped up and volunteered to go. Again, totally awesome!

Then, yesterday at 2AM, my other sister got a phone call from her mother-in-law asking her to take her place on the missions trip to Guatemala! My sister's mother-in-law's mom was gravely ill and just couldn't make the trip after all. SO, my ever-so-flexible sister packed her bags and got her stuff in order (although that wasn't so difficult as she is the most organized of individuals!).

This morning all of the ladies in my family: my mom, 2 sisters and eldest niece left at 2:30AM to serve in Guatemala at an inter-missions conference. I couldn't be more proud of them!

On a side note, I'm also quite elated that my mother decided to only do the "serving" part of the missions trip and not the "sight-seeing" part! She'll be home sooner than the rest!

I also have to brag on my brother-in-laws, too. On this the first morning of getting the kids off to school, they successfully got the children to school dressed AND on time! What men!

I will sign off with some pictures and a favorite passage of Scripture that reminds me of those special women in my immediate family...

Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

My super cool Mom rockin' out with Guitar Hero!

My super flexy sister, her family, mother-in-law & her mother-in-law's parents

My eldest sister & her hubby

My niece

Book TWO

Yesterday I was subbing in the library at my ol' stomping grounds...yes, the school I graduated from. I squealed with delight when I saw my book, How Christ Changed Our Lives, on the shelf! All glory goes to our good God for this one!

I'm happy to say that I'm in the collecting phase of Book 2...I'm in the process of asking/receiving testimonies for the sequel. Do you have a testimony of how Christ changed your life? Write it down, email it to me! I'd be happy to hear from you!

Family Fun Fondue

Valentine's is a fun day to celebrate LOVE! My hubby and I used the occasion to remind our children of how we learned to truly love others...we know how to show genuine love because of the way God shows us His love. He showed us the ultimate love by giving us His Son, Jesus.

Valentine's morning we enjoyed a visit to my nephew's basketball game. It was SO much fun watching 6 & 7 year-olds rush up and down the court, guarding their "man" and making baskets...it was especially exciting cheering after my nephew scored 2 points!

After an afternoon of doing errands, studying for my Kindergarten Sunday School lesson, and enjoying a little rest, we created our own Family Fun Fondue night. Jerad is the master chef in this family. We both enjoy cooking, but Jerad is definitely more creative with some things. Here's a sample of the fun time we had with our meat and chocolate fondues.

"Let's Eat Already!"

The Steak, Chicken and Shrimp

Morgan trying steak and shrimp (She's sporting a tattoo and her brace...we're halfway there with the healing process of her fractured collarbone).

Gabriel enjoying his first shrimp (notice his adult teeth coming in! He's growing up SO fast! Next month he'll be 7!).

DESSERT!

The Chocolate Dessert Fondue with Delicious Fruit to Dip

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:8

A WONDERFUL NEW EXPERIENCE

For my dear friends who are busy and would like an afternoon or evening out with friends to have some fun but still accomplish something that will benefit your family....

My sisters invited me and a friend to experience My Sous Chef in Morgantown and tonight I experienced it and it was AMAZING! I thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience.

Prior to arriving at My Sous Chef, I visited their website: http://www.mysouschef.net/. I picked out some meals and paid for them online. When my sisters, friend and I arrived this evening, the owner and her sister gave us aprons to put on and we went to "work" preparing the meals we had chosen online. It was so much fun! Everything was right there and I didn't have to wash the dishes afterward, I didn't have to hear children fighting, and get this...while we were in the midst of finishing one and meal and about to begin preparing another meal, they brought out warm cookies and hot chocolate! AH!

The owner was telling us that she has regular MEN customers...especially during the week of Valentine's. Husbands come to My Sous Chef to prepare their Valentine meal for their precious wives! hint...hint...wink...wink!

Here's some pictures of our adventure. Inside my ice chest...they loaded everything in my ice chest and even added some unexpected goodies like Chex Mix and some spices to sample!

What each meal looked like...instructions included as to how to heat the yummy food...Meat Lovers Calzone, Philly Cheesesteak Wraps, Chicken Cordon Blue Wraps, etc.

And, finally a picture of 2 yummy desserts imported from Italy! Jerad and I were going to wait until Valentine's but we took a quick taste...the one on the left tastes like a refreshing apple Jolly Rancher. The gelato on the right is fruity and delicious. Will we finish the dessert on Valentine's..can we wait? Hmm...Saturday seems too far away for these frozen delights!

I think it's safe to say we'll be back to My Sous Chef in the near future!