Being Thankful

The Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade through the eyes of a 2 year old...

I have SO much to be thankful for. I don't even need it to be Thanksgiving Day to be reminded of our blessings...Gage does it for me. He reminds me to enjoy the little things: dancing in the living room, playing in the dirt, singing in the car (current favorites include The Itsy Bitsy Spider and Baby Shark), sitting down at the table for dinner, reading a book (or a zillion books), splashing in the tub...the list could go on for miles...
I've seen the Macy's Parade on many Thanksgiving mornings, but I have never enjoyed watching it as much as today. Watching Elmo, Ernie, and BB (Big Bird) in the parade rocked. Thank you, my sweet boy, for bringing me once again back to the little things...

Back By Popular Demand :-)

I have this love/hate relationship with blogging...I love writing...I hate that it cuts into the time I have in the evening to spend with my family. That being said, I'm a night owl (Rich says I have vampire blood in me) & the men in my life are...well...not night owls. So rather than playing another round of Scrabble on facebook (but don't get me wrong, I LOVE my fb Scrabble games!) I'm going to give this blog another chance at life. :-)
Something that makes me very happy is to try recipes my mom has given me. I've been especially loving this recipe for Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins & I thought I'd share it...maybe it will make you happy too! :-)
Blueberry Oatmeal Muffins
1 1/4 c flour
1 c quick cooking oats
1/2 c packed brown sugar
2 t baking powder
1/2 t salt
1/2 t cinnamon
1/4 t baking soda
1/4 t nutmeg
1 egg, beaten
1 c plain yogurt (I don't usually keep plain yogurt around, so I've substituted it with blueberry yogurt and it is super yummy!)
1/4 c butter, melted
1 c blueberries
dash of lime or orange zest
*Combine first 8 ingredients. In separate bowl, combine egg, yogurt, & butter. Stir this mixture into dry ingredients until moistened. Fold in blueberries. Fill muffin tin 3/4 full. Bake @ 400 degrees for 18-22 minutes. Enjoy my friends...tell me what you think of them!

Happy Easter

We had a wonderful easter weekend with Rich's parents & brother...a little campfire time (complete with Peep roasting)...

easter egg coloring fun...


dinner outside on the deck...


and a visit to the Biltmore Estate to complete the weekend festivities...

hiatus

I've been in hiding from my blog for a bit...so sorry. (But I have some really good reasons!!!) I went home a few weeks ago to help welcome my new nephew into the world. Here's a glimpse of the handsome Cavin Michael Chapman...

We have also had our hands full with our little monster...he's SO close to walking. He did take a couple of steps on his own recently, but he still prefers to hold on to mommy & daddy's fingers for support. :-)

I wanted to mention that even though I failed (miserably) at blogging everyday for my 30 days of the Jabez Prayer, I did in fact manage to say the prayer..and I'm still praying it! I do believe there is power in prayer...especially when it is not confined to our will, but left up for His will to be done.

St. Patty's Day 16&17/30

Happy St. Patrick's Day to all! I feel myself falling quickly out of my blogging habit and I'm going to pull a David Letterman and give you a
"Top 10 Reasons Why Danielle Is Losing Her Blogging Focus" list:
10. Looking at the back of my eyelids appeals to me more than looking at the computer screen.
9. My crafting habit > my blogging habit
8. I haven't been keeping up with my book reading which was the catalyst for this 30 day blog...although I have been praying and seeing a LOT of blessings! :-)
7-2. Uh...I really don't have that many reasons...after all, I do enjoy blogging, I just need to get my head back in the game.
1. Nobody reads this anyway!

Crafting 15/30

I've spent my entire night getting crafty in preparation of my newest (and yet un-named) nephew. My computer desk is littered with craft supplies: paper, buttons, scissors, paint, and my favorite...Mod Podge! My sweet husband just can't hang with me when I get the craft bug in me...he retired to the bed about an hour ago. :-) Needless to say, I haven't done any real planning for my blog topic tonight. So I'm just going to go back to my fun because when I talked with my sis today, it sounds like that baby could come anytime! I'll leave you with a couple of photos of me and my little sister. Hang in there Deanna...I love you!
An oldie but goodie...

And one from my wedding...

Midnight 14/30

Tonight at Vertical, Pastor Bruce discussed worshiping God even when it seems He is nowhere in sight. He talked about how we all go through the midnight...the dark times in our lives that test our faith. Citing various stories throughout the Bible where Christ followers were going through their darkness, it was remarkable that the stories were often not so much focused on what an individual was going through, but how they handled themselves. Remember when you are in the valley, you have a choice...of how to react, how to learn from the trial, and how to continue worship the loving God who made you. And don't think no one notices...people are always watching...interested to see how you will handle and persevere (or not) through your midnights.