First Day of School

What a big girl Ella Kate was on the first day of preschool. She even asked to go through the car drop off when we got there. I asked her if she would please let me walk her in today just to take her picture. She thankfully let me, but was ready to head on in and get the show started. The woman in the picture is her teacher's aide. I forgot to get a picture of her with her teacher. Of course she loves it. She is ready to go in the mornings way before we need to leave. "Can we go to school now?"

Snowman

Are you wondering about the snowman?



We made a beautiful snowman about the size of Ella Kate. This was Mommy's first one that she can remember making. Sadly, this is all we have to show for it :( Lucy had to have a diaper change after only a little bit of the fun. As I was taking off all of her layers Ella Kate was trying to smooth out the snowman and down he went.

Sweet Hearts

Somehow my precious 4 year old and I were talking about hearts at lunch and I asked if she could touch her heart. She thought and replied "Only Jesus can touch our hearts". What a sweet reminder that He can touch our hearts unlike anyone or anything else if we simpy let Him.

Costumes and Candy

Enjoy the cuteness!!

Pretty Princess

Flower Fairy

Daddy, "Are the Gators winning by enough points that we can go?"

The kids are almost here. Mommy is the candy ready. They're coming! They're coming!

The not so scary jack-o-lantern.

Girly Bear dressed up too.

What a happy fairy.

Is God Busy?

My precious daughter was pretending there were wolves in our house the other day. I was busy cleaning up the kitchen so I suggested she pray and ask God to help her. She did, but replied God couldn't help her right now because someone else has a boo-boo that he needs to heal first.

We all have to wait sometimes to be heard or get our turn, but our Heavenly Father never asks us to wait for our turn. We are continually welcome into his presence for an audience with the King of Kings.

"Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Our prayers ascend to heaven's throne

Regardless of the form we use;

Our Father always hears His own;

Regardless of the words we choose.

- D. De Haan

Welcoming Fall

It is October. In Atlanta that means that you wear shorts one day and sweaters the next. This week the leaves have slowly begun to change to their flashy oranges and purples. It's a beautiful sight! What a magnificent display of God's workmanship.

Each year our family goes to Berry Patch Farms' Pumpkin Patch to ride the hayride, tromp through the patch, and look at all the baby farm animals. Lucy was not very sure of all the animals but quite interested. She stood almost motionless as she watched them. Ella Kate laughed with her friends and enjoyed running back and forth across the fields.

My New Favorite Casserole

The pasta layer reminds me of the Italian noodles my mom made when I was a kids. The tomato layer is not quite Italian and not quite Mexican. Enjoy!

Beef Lombardi
(Southern Living)
Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef
1 (14 1/2-ounce) can diced or stewed tomatoes
1 (10-ounce) can Rotel
2 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 (6-ounce) can tomato paste
1 bay leaf
1 (6-ounce) package medium egg noodles
6 green onions, chopped
1 cup sour cream
1 cup shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded Italian cheese

Preparation
Cook ground beef in a large skillet until it is no longer pink. Drain.

Stir in chopped tomatoes and next 4 ingredients; cook 5 minutes. Add tomato paste and bay leaf, and simmer 30 minutes.

Cook egg noodles according to package directions; drain.

Stir together cooked egg noodles, chopped green onions, and sour cream until blended.

Place noodle mixture in bottom of a lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking dish. Top with beef mixture; sprinkle evenly with cheeses.

Bake, covered with aluminum foil, at 350° for 35 minutes. Uncover casserole, and bake 5 more minutes. Garnish, if desired.