First Corinthians 13 - Christmas Version

If I decorate me house perfectly with plaid bows,
strands of twinkling lighst and shiny balls,
but do not show love to my family,
I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen,
baking dozens of Christmas cookies,
preparing gourmet meals
and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime:
but no not show love to my family,
I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen
Carol in the nursing home,
and give all that I have to charity;
but do not show love to my family,
it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels
and crocheted snowflakes,
attend a myriad of holiday parties
and sing in the choir's cantata
but do not focus on Christ,
I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child.
Love sets aside the decrating to kiss the spouse.
Love is kind, though harried and tired.
Love does not envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.
Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.
Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return; but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things,
believes all things,
hopes all things, and
endures all things.
Love never fails.
Video games will break,
pearl necklaces will be lost,
golf clubs will rust,
but giving the gift of love will endure.

Wishing you all a very blessed Christmas! 

Evan William turns 2

My sweet nephew Evan William turned 2 years old on the 23rd, which was also the day we left to go to New York.  He had a Thomas party at home the weekend before the Thanksgiving Holiday and then we also celebrated this special little guy on his real  birthday.  When we arrived in NYC we walked to a Pizzeria for pizza and birthday cake!  New York pizza anyone?! It was delish. 

Evie's b-day cake, complete with a Thomas train!  To say this cake was amazing is an under statement.  It was whatever comes after amazing.  The icing literally melted in your mouth.  Perfect amount of whipped and not too sweet! YUM!

Getting ready to blow out his candles!

Evan with his amazing Parents.  They have so much love to give and are wonderful, Parents to their three angels!

Happy 2nd Birthday Evan William!  You are such a ray of sunshine and you bring so much joy to my life!  I love you Evie!

A Flying We Will Go

We headed out on Wednesday to NYC to spend Thanksgiving with my McDonough family.  My Dad is from NY so he wanted all his grandkids to experience the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and all the sites and sounds of the wonderful city!  It was a GREAT trip - the kids had such a good time.  Here are a few outtakes from the flights to NYC (We went from OKC to Dulles and onto La Quardia).  Good times!

Hyped up and ready to leave OKC behind

In Washington Dulles airport - they loved the wall that changed colors

Jack and Aunt KK

Jack loves his Sweet Cousin Maggie

The Knuckleheads in the van leaving the airport and heading to the hotel to see Pa Pa!

Let the good times Roll. 

Home Sweet Home

Made it home last night (late) from a great trip to NYC - we had such an awesome time and I am so thankful that we were able to spend it with family and take the children to the Macy's Parade, Santa Land, FAO, etc...  I have tons of pictures and I intend on posting soon.  It was close to midnight when I fell into bed last night so there was zero time for anything. 

I will leave you with a picture of my little blue tiger, he had his face painted at FAO Schwartz.  He had a ball on the trip and was a cranky bear this morning from lack of sleep! 

Happy Monday!

NYC or Bust

We will be leaving tomorrow to travel to NYC for our family outing to the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade and SOO much more!  You will find me happy on the streets of the Big Apple walking with a Dirty Water hot dog in one hand and fake Prada in the other!  YAY I can't wait!  Oh man, I am more excited then I could ever express in words!  There are going to be 18 people total, that number includes 6 kids, YIKES!  Wish us luck!

I will be taking lots of pictures!

"I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and I will sing praise to the name of the LORD most high. "

Psalm 7:17

Happy Thanksgiving!

Kim

Four the Record

Four the Record, I have been a Miranda Lambert fan for many years now.  Before she was a contestant on Nashville Star, before she became mainstream, before masses of people followed her, BEFORE all that, I LOVED Miranda.  I'd like to believe that I was her first fan, after her parents of course!  I listened to her music when she was just beginning at 17 and playing at any Texas beer joint that would allow her to play. 

So...it is NO surprise that I have all her music.  I know every song by heart, my 3 year old knows some too!  I've seen her in concert at least 7 times and if given the opportunity to see her again - I would drop pretty much any plan I had to go. 

My love for Miranda's music is deep because I have a great respect for her.  She never changed who she was to fit into an industry, she has always just been herself, take it or leave it! 

Four the Record her 4th Albumn was released on November 1 and I immediatley bought it on itunes.  I was worried with each new albumn that I would be disappointed because I honestly didn't think that she could do better then her first album, on which she wrote 11 of 12 tracks.  I will say that all the albums are great in their own way and different then the one before.  I think that is just something that happens to every artist as they grow - they become more brave, becuase they have an established fan base.

Four the Record track listing

1.  All Kinds of Kind
2.  Fine Tune
3.  Fastest Girl in Town
4.  Safe
5.  Mama's Broken Heart
6.  Dear Diamond
7.  Same Old You
8.  Baggage Claim
9.  Easy Living
10.  Over You
11.  Look at Miss Ohio
12.  Better in the Long Run
13.  Nobody's Fool
14. Oklahoma Sky

The entire album is GREAT!  A few of my favorites are, Safe, Dear Diamond, Same Old You, Over You (which is a song her hubby, Blake Shelton, wrote but couldn't record as he was too close to the song and didn't think he could sing it every night in concert; it is a tribute to his older brother who was tragically killed in a car accident, it gives me chills!)  Better in the Long Run (LOVE...a duet with Miranda and Blake), I'd love it if they did a whole CD together!  Also Okahoma Sky is a beautiful song! 

GO BUY the CD.....Miranda rocks, Four the Record!

"I have called you by name; you are mine."
Isaiah 43:1

Casey Andrew Sutphin

Our friends welcomed their second son into the world a few weeks ago.  I wanted to gift them with something that was special/different.  I had been wanting to order from this etsy site for a while and this gave me the opportunity that I had been waiting for.  The print was cheap and beautiful, I had it customize to show his name and date of birth.  Naptime Diaries & Design, is the site where I ordered the print. 

I got the frame @ Michael's this week frames are 60% off, score!  I hope to mail it out tomorrow.  I love giving unique presents and I am hopefully that they will love it! 

Finished Product

"That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other's faith"

Romans 1:12

Kim

Memphis

My Mom and I went to see the musical Memphis at the Civic Center in Oklahoma City on Sunday.  WOW!  It was such an amazing show.  The leading lady, Felicia had the most astounding voice, it actually brought me to tears.  At the end of the show I was standing up hooping and hollering it was so good.  I didn't want the show to end!  Great Performance!  If it comes to a city near you - you MUST go see it. 

Mom & I

Thanks for such a wonderful evening Mom!

Kim

Her Mother's Hope by Francine Rivers

I started this book last week and finished it quickly, what a great read!  I love this author and the way that she writes, she makes you fall in love with her characters.  Her first book Redeeming Love is one of my top 5 all-time favorite novels and this book also did not disappoint.  The sequel to Her Mother's Hope is out, it's called Her Daughter's Dream, and it is most definitely making my Christmas wish list.  I can't wait to read it.  Definitely recommend this author/book.

Near the turn of the twentieth century, fiery Marta Schnedier is torn between her father's declaration that she'll never be more than a servant and her mother's encouragement to chase her dreams.  Determined to fulfill her mother's hope, Marta leaves home for a better life.  Young and alone, she earns her way with a series of housekeeping and cooking jobs that bring her ever closer to her dream of owning an inn.

Heartbreaking news from home strengthens Marta's resolve as she moves to England and eventually to Canada.  There, she meets Niclas Waltert, a man just as commited as she to forging a better life in a new place.  But nothing has prepared her for the sacrifices she must make for marriage and motherhood as she travels first to Canadian wilderness and finally to the dusty Central Valley of California to raise her family. 

Marta's hope is to give her children a better life, but experience has taught her that only the strong survive.  Her tough love is often misunderstood especially by her oldest daughter, Hildermara Rose, who craves her mother's acceptance.  Amid the drama of World War II, Hildie falls in love and begins a family of her own.  But unexpected and tragic events force mother and daughter to face their own shortcomings and the ever-widening chasm that threatens to separate them forever. 

Happy Reading

Kim

PS - Can someone help me figure out how to add a Signature Line, I'm having trouble!



 

Nurse Crisp

Kelly (older sister) and I traveled to Ada for the evening last week to attend Allison's (little sister) debut performance in her high school play, A Haunting We Will Go.  The play was about a TV producer who had made a childhood agreement with herself to stay in this haunted hotel.  So she traveled home to stay in the hotel before it was condemned.  You can probably....get the rest on your own! :)

Allison was SO good and I am not just being partial because she is my sweet little sister.  She was better then any of the "leads."  I hope she continues to pursue drama because I think she has loads of potential!  Her character was Nurse Crisp, who travels to the Inn to check on her patients and in a surprise/twist ending she dies!

Funny story...I text Allison on our way to the play.."Good Luck" and she text me back. "NO! Kimmy you can't say Good Luck to actors!"  SO...I text back "Okay then, break both legs!"

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever.'
Psalms 107:1

Enjoy this wonderful week before Thanksgiving!

Kim  

Latest Obsession

It could be said that I have a slight obsession with washing my hands.  I love the feel of clean hands, I like the task of putting soap on them and washing them under hot water.  I might have a mild case of OCD, the jury is still out.  Normally it doesn't cause too much of a problem but when the weather starts getting cold and I continue to scrub my hands multiple times a day and by multipule I mean around 20, my hands start getting VERY dry.  No judgement please.

I like to shop around for new liquid soaps and try different scents.  At any given time I could have 4 different soaps stock piled in my house.  I promise, I'm not a freak, most people think I'm pretty normal! :)  Which brings me to my latest soap purchase...

Mrs. Meyer*s Clean Day Hand Soap, Lemon Verbena. 

It smells so yummy and it is perfect for a light wash of the hands, and the smells lingers for a good 10  minutes after washing!  I found it at Wal-Mart for around $3.00.  It is a must try! 

Happy Saturday!

Kim

Thankful Thursday

I am going to join in on all the Thankful Thursday fun!  I am very thankful today and everyday for my wonderful older sister Kelly.  I truly cannot tell you how lucky I am to have her as a sister and best friend.  You see, that is the thing about having a sister...they are your forever friend.

Kelly has been right beside me for every chapter of my life, and they haven't all been pretty! :)

From fixing my hair every morning until I started Junior High because I couldn't do it as good as she could to listening to me whine (read: meltdown) over a high school break up.  She has taught me how to be a better friend, person and partner.  She had been my biggest fan and most honest critic at every crossroad, which is a challenging feat because I've been told that I don't take kindly to constructive criticism.  

I watched her bring three amazing, beautiful children into this world and grow into the most amazing mother any child could ask for.  She was right beside me through my entire pregnancy and cheering me on as we welcomed Jack into this great big world.  Jack is a lucky little guy to have Aunt Kay K on his side.

Kelly doesn't mess around when it comes to family, she is loyal beyond measure.  

So yes....today and everyday I am Thankful for my sister and forever friend, Kelly.  

"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."

Isaiah 40:31

Kim 

Family Pics 2011...Sneak Peak

We had our family pictures made a few weeks ago.  It was a perfect Sunday, and the weather was great!!  I was somewhat concerned about how Jack would do but he was a shinning star.  Little dude was cheesing it up!  This is just a sneak peak, I will attach a link to the gallery on the Lanae Photography site once all the pics are up.  Thanks so much Tina, I really like the pics!

Jack scraped his head the night before pics! BOYS! :) Check out the dimples on my sweet guy!

"So now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; but the greatest of these is love."
1 Corinthians 13:13

It's almost the weekend! Enjoy this day!
Kim

Halloween Recipes

My Sister Kelly and I hosted a Halloween "Mummy" Shower for my friend Meghan who is having baby #3.  It was very low key and instead of gifts, we made frozen dinners for the family to eat after baby comes home.  I searched for several ideas for Halloween themed food that looked easy to prepare.

In order to make our house a little festive for the occasion, I bought a medium sized pumpkin, cut the top off and got rid of the insides, then wiped the inside down with Clorox, I heard that it helps preserve the pumpkin for a longer period of time, who knew?? Then I sprayed painted the pumpkin with white spray paint.  Added some Orange and Yellow mums and it made a very nice centerpiece. 

I found a recipe on the Parents.com site for Frosted Pumpkin Cupcakes.  They were delicious, and super easy to make, and they seemed to be a hit at the party. 

Frosted Pumpkin Cupcakes

Ingredients:

3 Cups All-Purpose Flour

1 Tbsp. Pumpkin Pie Spice

2 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup buttermilk

3/4 cup vegetable oil

1 can (15 ounces) pumpkin puree

4 eggs

Frosting:

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

3/4 cup (1 - 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

1 box (16 ounces) powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 Tbsp. milk, plus more if needed

Orange Food Coloring

Fine and Coarse orange decorating sugar

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake pan with paper liners.

For cupcakes:  In a medium sized bowl, whisk flour, pumpkin pie spice, baking soda, baking powder, and salt together until well blended, set aside.

Beat sugar, vegetable oil, buttermilk, pumpkin puree and eggs in a large bowl on low speed for 2 minutes or until combined. Add flour mixture and beat for 2 more minutes or until just combined.

Divide among liners, filling each about 2/3 full

Bake at 350 degrees for about 18 minutes.  Transfer to a wire rack and cool completely.

For Frosting:

Beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl on high for 3 minutes or until light and fluffy.  Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla and milk and beat until smooth and a good spreading consistency, 2 minutes.  Add an additional Tbsp. of milk if mixture is too thick.

Tint the frosting with Orange coloring until it reaches the shade that you prefer.  Mound the frosting on top of the cupcakes.  Roll the entire cupcake in the sugar to coat or just roll edges in sugar, alternating between fine and coarse sugar as desired. 

YUMMY!

My step-mom made this fruit dip once for a gathering and since then it is my go to for any occasion - it is amazing, and super simple.  Every time I bring this to an event people go crazy for it!  

First you wash and cut up any fruit that you like.  Normally I use grapes, strawberries, Mandarin oranges, bananas, and blueberries or raspberries.  

Then:  Beat 1/3 cup butter, softened and 1 cup powdered sugar at medium speed until smooth.  Add 1/2 cup sour cream, 1/2 tsp. lemon juice, and 1/4 tsp. vanilla, beating it until creamy.  Cover and chill until ready to serve.  When serving you can put the sauce in a separate bowl or drizzle it over the fruit whichever you prefer. 

Below is a picture of the food table.  My sister also made a chicken salad and served it on croissants and it was TOO DIE for!  Recipe to come later!

I think all in all the party went well, it was small, intimate and FUN! I have printed a few other fall recipes that I am dying to try so hopefully I'll post them later if they turn out as I hope!

Happy Fall!

"Children are a heritage from the LORD, offspring a reward from him."

Psalms 127:3

Kim

Happy Halloween 2011

Lots of Love - Dino Jack