It's been awhile

Well, It's been awhile since I've blogged. We have been pretty busy. During the summer time I seem to be even busier than during school. I'm not sure why, but I think I get more accomplished during school. So I keeping teasing the kids about starting school up again. Tim had a serious eye infection, the van has still been run down. Thank the Lord Tim's eye seems to be doing better. The bright sun still bothers his eyes at times though.

Tim has been working on the van. It has been broke down for awhile. We had to wait on a part to come in from the states. That took about 2 weeks. He got the part put on and the van still wouldn't run. So he had to dig around for awhile and found out that the crank shaft is broke and the timing was off. So right now he has the van put back together and it is running, not running real well, but at least we can make it to town and get things we need. Hopefully the van will last for a while longer.

Here is a picture of Tanner. He climbs up the frame in the doorway to the kitchen and then crosses his hands, and supports himself with his legs. He thinks he is something to be able to do this.

God's Artwork

Here are some awesome pictures of God's artwork. These were taken tonight if front of our house. It was beautiful to see these clouds, lighting, water, feel the breeze, etc. We serve a wonderful Savior.











This is James Dean. He was fishing. Took a picture of him with the boat he built in the background.

Happy Birthday to Me!

Today is my birthday. As my husband says I am half way to 70, my children say I'm forty, forty nine and a hundred. So how old am I? I am 35. I am very thankful for the birthdays I have. When I was 28 I was not looking forward to being 30. I dreaded it, but then I got very sick. Almost died, was given a one percent chance to live. I believe I would have died had it not been for the prayers of so many people. God healed my body and allowed me to live. I have been enjoying my birthdays ever since and so far it doesn't bother me to get older, even though I do struggle with the gray hairs, etc. Ha!!!

Today we don't have anything planned as our van is still broke down so we can't go anywhere. Tim and Alexis have went to a funeral. The boys have cleaned the house for me. They did a pretty good job. Trevor baked a cake and we are waiting on it to cool so that they can frost it. I am making some bread today because we could not find any at the stores yesterday that didn't cost a fortune. I have lasagna planned for supper,but Tim may come home and decide to cook something. He likes to cook and I enjoy it when he does.

If anything exciting would happen to happen today then I will post about it later.

I am very thankful to God for allowing me to live, He has blessed me with so many things. I have wonderful parents, growing up I didn't think that, but as I am getting older I'm glad God gave me to them. I miss them very much. I miss talking to my mom every day. I still get to talk to them, but not as often now. I am very thankful for the Godly upbringing they instilled into my life. I also have one set of grandparents still alive. They have been an encouragement to me over the years. They are a wonderful example of how to live a Godly life.
Then my in-laws. They are great people. I have gotten to know them while we lived in NC. They have been a big help to us in so many ways and a blessing. We appreciate them so much. I am also thankful for my husband. He has stood by me through many trials, happiness, sadness, etc. I am learning to love him more and more. Then God blessed us with four beautiful children. They are a lot of fun to watch and life my spirits many times by little things they say and do. God has blessed me and I am so thankful for another birthday to be alive and to serve Him.

IN NEED OF PRAYER

Please pray for me. I've been having a rough time lately dealing with some things. The devil has been fighting. Please say an extra prayer for me.

The Joy of Fast food!!

The other day Alexis came in the house with her friend Erie. She was carrying something in her hand. I asked her what she had, she showed me something wrapped up in a Burger King wrapper. Erie was standing off to the side, Alexis said Erie brought me this. Erie had been to Miami with her mom and brought Alexis back a sandwich from Burger King. So Alexis was eating fast food while the rest of us had to watch. She was so excited about that sandwich and it was nice of Erie to think of Alexis. That is one thing the kids miss, there are no fast food restuarants here in the islands. So Alexis enjoyed the sandwich while the rest of us looked on.

A Delicious Recipe

I was looking through my cookbooks today trying to find something different to make. I found this recipe. it turned out very nice and tasted good. The kids enjoyed it. Alexis asked if I would make it for lunch and supper.

Pumpkin Chocolate Loaf

3- 1/2 cups sugar

1- 1/4 cups vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 can (29 oz.) solid-packed pumpkin

3 squares (1 oz. each) unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

1- 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1-1/2 teaspoons salt

1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1-1/4 teaspoons baking soda

1-1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 to 1-1/4 teaspoons ground cloves

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 cups (12 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips

In a large bowl, combine sugar and oil. Add eggs; mix well. Stir in the pumpkin, chocolate and vanilla; mix well. Combine the dry ingredients: stir into pumpkin mixture just until blended. Stir in chips.

Transfer to three greased 9-in. x 5 in. x 3 in. loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 55-65 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing fram pans to wire racks. Wrap and freeze for up to 6 months. yield: 3 loaves.

Busy

It has been a busy week. Between the everyday things (laundry, meals, cleaning up around the house, dealing with the neighborhood kids at are house, children's service, regular church services, etc. , etc., etc.). Our regional director (Frank Vaughn ) and Bro. Pierpoint were here from Hobe Sound, FL Wed. and spent the night. It was nice to have them here and spend some time with them. The kids really enjoyed them being here. The received candy, etc. They are now on North Caicos along with Tim. It is conference time, so today is busy with meetings (for them). The kids and I were unable to go at this time. Just cost to much money. So we are here at home alone.

I was able to take some time to myself and put a puzzle together. I enjoyed that. I don't know where the kids found the puzzle, guess it was left here by someone. It was to hard for the younger kids to do so we have been putting together little kids puzzles also. They enjoy puzzles.

the past couple of days have been fairly nice temperature wise. A little cooler. Before it was very hot. Even the kids said that it was to hot to do much. We did get some rain the other night. Our cistern is almost full, which is very helpful. Water is a major concern, we can buy water and have it brought to the house to fill up the cistern, but if it rains than that saves alot of money.

Thank you to all that pray for us, etc. We appreciate all you do.