A Must Follow...

I promise you will be drawn in by her passion for Jesus, her words, her encouragement, her language, her style of writing, and most of all her love for her children and being a mom, wife, & how that all fits into our crazy busy everyday life!

Please meet Ann Voskamp and her website is www.aholyexperience.com. I was introduced to her awhile back when I visited the incourage website. I enjoyed her posts greatly. Now, she has written a book that a dear friend came to me and ask to read it together and then come together & share our thoughts/experiences as we read the book. I was thrilled because I had just read about the book a couple days earlier on another blog site where I thought to myself...this book will be a must read. :)
The book is called A Thousand Gifts~ A Dare to Live Fully Right Where You Are.

So hop over to her website to see the book, to meet Mrs. Ann Voskamp...I now have her on my blog roll so you can visit. I promise you will wish you would of followed her longer...you'll be captivated by her love, you'll read older posts, you'll love the blog!

Enjoy it greatly....It's a Must Follow! :)

The Change...

Because I don't have enough change going on in my life right now (more posts in January on that matter).....
I totally cut my bangs on Tuesday by myself!!! Yep, I was like well I need a haircut and I really don't have time until the first of the year so lets just chop these these long layered bangs right off. hahaha ;) I kinda like the "new" look. It makes me feel different and good and I like how that feels.

Ryan and I had a dinner date in Houston and someone got a snapshot of us at the dinner table so here's a sneak peek of the "Change." :)

Let the Crazy Week Begin....

Yep, the last week of the Fall semester!! I seriously, really can't believe it is here. The Fall is my favorite and it goes by soo fast!
Well, this is the week that I live on coffee, diet Dr Pepper, and all my vitamins to help keep me trekking through 3 girls schedule and mine and Ryans. Here we go...

Monday night-dinner in Sugarland with Acts 29 pastors

Tuesday- work, Holiday lunch with Addie & Avery

Wednesday- Addie Polar Express day

Thursday- Avery Polar Express day, Addie Christmas party, work and my own preschool class Christmas party

Friday- Avery Christmas party, Addie pizza party, Ryan in Houston (pastor stuff)

Crazy but I love this time of year and all the fun, extra stuff I get to do and experience with my girls. Its always so busy but so fun. :)

I hope you are all having an incredible Christmas season too. Have a great week!

Everthing is Better with Cream Cheese

OK, so this time of year, I consume way to much cream cheese! Just this past weekend I had it on Saturday and Sunday night!! Yikes.. but it is good and just about anything that goes on it, in it, around it, baked with it, is delicious. :)
Here are some of my favorite ways and a must for me during the Christmas season.

Cream cheese with hot green pepper jelly on top
Cream cheese whipped with candied jalapenos
Cheese Logs
Cream cheese with Raspberry Chiptole sauce on top
(oh my, this is divine..get the Fisher brand & its w/ the barbecue sauces in the grocery store-promise you will love it)

Yep, I could pretty much eat those cream cheese appetizers every day this time of year. SOOOOO yummy! Another favorite is any type of cream cheese dessert. ;)

Seriously is there anything that doesn't taste good with cream cheese????

City of Silver Dreams

I love the cold,
I love the snow.

I love the city lights,
and the country's moon that shines bright!

I love Christmas,
the sights, smells, and ringing bells.

Thankful for the lights aglow
and the warm, caring souls.

(Yes, I totally just made that up as I was typing! hahaha):)

Here is a song by Sugarland (country group) sorry, yes country song again. LOL ;) I LOVE it and someone put a really cool video on youtube up so I copied it to share. Its the only one so I hope you enjoy the pics of some cute complete stranger girls that captivated some city pictures of NY. They are cool.
*pause my music first*
The song is called City of Silver Dreams. Enjoy! Merry Christmas!

My holiday week at home...

Thanksgiving week was wonderful! I love going home and get to spend unlimited time with my parents and my sister & her family. :) We always have lots of fun, hit the shops, and try to pack as much as we can into that week we are all together.
I got to celebrate my 35th birthday with my family which is always extra sweet. I got lots of unique goodies but most importantly I ate one of my favorite places Pei Wei with EVERYONE and the company at my birthday lunch was the best part of my day and best gift! I love having my birthday near Thanksgiving especially when I'm with my mom and dad. :)
On Wednesday, we bought tickets to the Ice show at the Gaylord Texan. That hotel is so pretty and amazingly too big but o so pretty! ;) The theme at Ice was Charlie Brown Christmas which was so awesome...the girls loved and we bundled up in the parkas for that chilly exhibit.
We finished the week celebrating Thanksgiving with my many cousins and aunts and uncles that all live up in the Dallas area. My sister hosted Thanksgiving at her house and it was sooo nice to catch up with my dad's side of the family...49 there to be exact. LOL Dad has 4 sisters so there are a lot of cousins who have had a lot of babies!!! :D I told Ryan that we truly are the black sheep of the family as we are the only ones on my dad's side of the family that doesn't live in North TX! I often wonder why God never led our path to that area of TX due to so many family members there but I am sure thankful for many amazing years down here in the Houston area. :) I love my South Texans!!
It was a wonderful, blessed week. I spent 5 full days there with mom and dad and spent some much quality time with my sister (my other best friend).
Here are some random pics throughout the week.
I hope you all had a wonderful, fun-filled yet relaxing Thanksgiving holiday.
We all have so much to be thankful for! :)

December 1st Tradition

Advent Calendars


On December 1st, I always surprise my girls with their Advent calendars! :) I started this a couple of years ago and they absolutely love it...and I always LOVE their faces!!! Its a true joy see them so excited about our little tradition on December 1st when they come home from school. May the countdown to Christmas officially begin!
Woohoo. :)

Happy Thanksgiving Friends

I hope you all have a wonderful & joyful Thanksgiving!
Be Blessed! :)
Philippians 1:3 "I thank my God every time I remember you."

For Everything Give Thanks

For all that God in mercy sends;
For health and children, home and friends,
For comfort in the time of need,
For every kindly word and deed,
For happy thoughts and holy talk,
For guidance in our daily walk,
FOR EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS!

For beauty in this world of ours,
For verdant grass and lovely flowers,
For song of birds, for hum of bees,
For refreshing summer breeze,
For hill and plain, for streams and wood,
For the great ocean's mighty flood,
FOR EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS!

For sweet sleep which comes with night,
For the returning morning's light,
For the bright sun that shines on high,
For the stars glittering in the sky,
For these and everything we see,
O Lord, our hearts we lift to thee.
FOR EVERYTHING GIVE THANKS!

~H.I. Tupper

Stuffed

The stuff I like to stuff myself with until I am totally stuffed!!!! ;)

Cranberry Salad
Stuffing
Sweet Potato Casserole (the one that taste like candy..yep, that one)
Broccoli/Cheese & Rice casserole
Endless rolls
and one of my favorite...my mom's cheese logs

Love, love these foods! I can't wait until this time next week, I am so eating the major left overs from Thanksgiving day. :)
YEP, these are the foods, I'll go back for over and over again until I'm so very stuffed! :)

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

in my home! :) I spent most of the day yesterday pulling down some of the Christmas boxes and started decorating my mantle and t.v. entertainment center! I had my little 5 year old helper, Annalise, helping me undo boxes. She was beaming ear to ear and singing right along with me as we had Christmas music in the background. :)
I love this time of year so I always try to get most of my decorations up before we leave for Thanksgiving holidays! We are always away the whole week of Thanksgiving since the girls get a whole week of no school and Ryan has absolutely no responsibilities in church life. So, I like to get all my Christmas decorations up on the inside and outside so all we have to do when we return from Thanksgiving break is put up our tree! I LOVE this time of year and the joy it brings so I'm like bring on the jolly. ;) I try to do this as early as I can without totally getting the "look" and "question" (are you already getting the Christmas decorations down) from my hubby! The funny thing is that early in our marriage Ryan would never listen to Christmas music until Thanksgiving was over....well, now he kindly enjoys my cheer WAY before Thanksgiving! ;)
So, snow village is up, along with some holly & berries, and my David Frykman Santa's and I still have a lot more but I sure do like the feel so far! My favorite part was when Addie and Avery walked through the door yesterday and beamed too from ear to ear and said.."I love Christmas". Made mommy's heart happy! :)
Hope you all are getting ready and excited for what this Christmas season will bring. Tis the Season!

A little Country...

A little Country Music, please! :) I love it! And a favorite thing I like to do is to watch any of the Country music award shows on tv. Its like a free concert of all the most popular artists in a 2 hour time span. :) I like to hear the new songs, see them sing their most popular, or all the beautiful dresses that are worn that night. Fun stuff!
Well one of my favorite bands, Lady Antebellum sang a GREAT song last night...it was awesome, totally loved it. I was like, whelp, I'll be downloading that onto itunes!
So here it is..enjoy it. :) It's called Hello World!

Endless Fall favorite dinners

I love to cook, try new things, and like my previous post on my favorite magazine, I love to find new yummy food ideas that my family will actually try! (not stare at and say whats that?!) ;)
This time of year...I love to use the crock pot as much as I can or my big dutch oven cookware to make soups, stews, or anything else that makes for a scrumptious Fall dinner.
Here are some favorites that I don't let a Fall/Winter go by without putting this on the dinner table! :)
Taco Soup
Chicken & Dumplings
Chicken Pot Pie
Beef Tortilla Soup
Chili...(OF COURSE, I'm Texan) ;)
Creamy Chicken & Wild Rice Soup

I LOVE how this time of year, it just makes dinner life a little more simple and doable. It seems like you can get away with a bowl of soup and salad more. :)
I look forward to many more dinners like these above and starting it out tonight with some Chicken and Dumplings!!!!
OH..and a little CMA awards...Yeehaw yall! Have a great dinner! :)

A Favorite

One of my favorite things to do this time of year is curl up to my favorite magazine which would be....
Southern Living


Totally love everything about this magazine especially around the Fall/Winter time and Holidays! :) It gives you amazing recipes and crafty decoration ideas, must see small town places, best travel for Fall foliage, and anything else that just makes this time of year wonderful. My mom bought me this subscription and its the gift that just keeps on giving. When I get in the mail...I literally can't wait to sit down & curl up on the couch and read from front to cover.
Anybody else have a favorite magazine that's a must read or an excuse to have down time?? Please share... if not, at least get the November and December edition of Southern Living. I know you wont be disappointed. :)

The Most Interesting Weekend Ever....

OK, first off, you have to know that I start my weekends on Thursday night! ;) I work 2 days a week and when my Thursday is over and because Ryan has Fridays off, I officially count it my weekend! :) Now, last Thursday, I had this grand idea that we should do a fun, family night something out of our "routine" to help break the mundane of a week...plus it would kick off my Avery girl's birthday the next day.
So, I made one of our favorite dinners, sliders (mini hamburgers on Hawaiian bread rolls, fresh fruit, & french fries), then we carved our family pumpkin for Halloween. It was a fun, good night until about 7:30 when Avery started complaining of a major tummy ache. I was like O NO....because deep down in me, i knew that the stomach bug had been going around like crazy in first grade! Well, my feeling was confirmed after 5 throw up sessions, Avery was sick. Therefore, this meant, my sweet angel girl missed her birthday at school..she was so so sad! :( She missed passing out her pumpkin cookies, dressing up for costume day, and the Halloween party. Such a bummer of a day to miss for sure!
Then, by Friday afternoon she was TONS better, so I decided for sure to go with Ryan to his retreat in Huntsville so we could all get away..and hopefully away from the germs.
Ryan convinces me that since she was tons better we would stop in The Woodlands eat at a favorite place, celebrate Avery & let her open her gifts and then keep going to Forest Glen Camp in Huntsville. We ate at Salt Grass and it was so yummy like normal & my Avery was doing great almost like she hadn't ever been sick and she absolutely loved the gift we gave her, a pillow pet! :)
Now, we are at Forest Glen in Huntsville which is beautiful and nestled amongst the Sam Houston National Forest. Very pretty and mountain like feel..without the mountains. ;) So pretty nonetheless. I was thinking wow, this will be fun. Well, we get to the cabin (thinking its totally furnished w/ linens, etc because that's what my hubby thought too & we packed in hurry because i decided last minute to go with him) and what do you know...a cabin with a tiny bathroom, a loft, and like eight bunk beds that were not furnished with linens!!! ;-/ I was like, o this isn't good, how can we make the 2 pillows and 1 sleeping bag that we brought with us work for 5 people???
So, we go to the office who graciously laughed at us and said its very common for the speaker of the camp or other volunteers to come with out any details or NO instructions that the cabins are unfurnished besides a bed, toilet, and shower! We got linens, blankets, and pillows, and we laughed & kept telling ourselves..memories, memories. :) It ended up being a fun little cabin all packed in one room with Ryan on the top bunk, Annalise, Addie and me beneath him on the full bunk, and Avery next two us on her bunk. I felt like little house on the prairie as we fell asleep..Goodnight Pa, Goodnight Ma..etc. LOL :D

The next day was awesome. Ryan spoke 3 times for the camp (Sugarland Baptist Church and Jersey Village Baptist Church) and me and the girls just enjoyed the camp. A huge playground, canoed, walking in the forest. It was a nice, family day. So we headed home and arrived back to League City by 10 pm, got the girls to bed and wouldn't ya know...Addie wakes us up at 3 saying her tummy hurt! I was like are you kidding me??? NO, not again, I thought we were in the clear. But it was confirmed the tummy bug hit her & I was totally convinced the bug came from school since now they were the only ones who had gotten it. Yep, its Halloween and she's down for the count. It was so sad, she didn't throw up as much as Avery but had a fever! :(

Tag team it became, Ryan took Annalise and Avery trick or treating and I stayed home with Addie and passed out candy. It had been a crazy weekend! Between the getaway, the cleaning, laundry and a whole can of Lysol...I was done. But it gets better, by 3 am that night, Ryan wakes up sick! Yep, I officially handed him more Lysol and wipes and said I'm headed to the couch. My entire Monday consisted of cleaning every linen, comforter and all, bathrooms, doorknobs, light switches, etc etc to rid this nasty bug out of our home. I happy to report that Super Momma and Super Annalise did not get the bug! :) WE celebrated that for sure. And Annalise, she is such the busy body and bullet, that I don't think the germ can ever land on that girl because she is in constant motion. LOL
All is well and I'm sure I have the cleanest house in South Shore Village. ;)
So..it truly was the most interesting weekend ever that felt like it lasted forever!
Here are some pictures of the girls at Halloween...I even got one of Addie sound asleep on the couch. :) Hope you all had a fun weekend & got some yummy treats.

Happy Birthday Avery!

Today, 7 years ago, my second daughter sweet Avery Rian came into the world! :)
By far, she has been my girl who has grown and changed the most in her looks.
Truly she has always been the quiet, gentle girl with a very joyous spirit and is always smiling. That girl is so, so sweet! I love everything about her and I thank God for her life and can't wait to see how she continues to grow and how God will use her unique personality.
Happy 7th Birthday my Avery girl! Mom and Dad love you beyond words!! :)

Population Me

Wow, have you heard this song by Matthew West? Population me is AWESOME...totally love it and this past Sunday our church played on stage so I had to share it. :)
We are doing a series at Clear Creek about being SENT people..missionaries. Missionaries across your street, your workplace, your home, your family, in your community, and across Houston, and the world! SENT people to spread the gospel, the good news of Christ and what He's done on the cross for us.
LOVE, LOVE, this series and the boldness it proclaims for Ryan and I are currently taking big steps as SENT people!

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Matthew 28:19-20

*Pause my music before you watch the video....I know you will just love it. :)

Avery's Artwork

Last year in Kindergarten, Avery created an art piece of her face. The art teacher, Ms. Low stopped me a couple of weeks ago at the school and showed me Avery's art piece and why she had saved it. Ms. Low wanted to put her art piece in the Reflections Celebration put on by the school district for this year. :)
Yes, Avery's art work was one of 300 in the whole school district that was picked to be put on display during the "art" celebration.
We loaded up Saturday morning to celebrate Avery's creativity. It was a blast. The girl's did some art and got their faces painted but the funnest part was walking around looking at the creativity of all the children. The best and proudest moment was seeing Avery's artwork hang there, with a ribbon, with her smiley face
(her portrait) and looking down at Avery who was beaming! Her creation was a true reflection of Avery's spirit. Always joyful, always smiling, loves life, and such a sweet heart! :)
Here's a picture of her masterpiece.

Dangerously So Good...

Yep, the most dangerous thing in my household these days are.... those famous Coffee-Mate Creamers! ;)
O yes, right now in my fridge, I have french vanilla, peppermint mocha, gingerbread, and sugar & spice! Let me tell you, I about drool when it gets this time of the year and I know the grocery stores will be stocked with these yummy coffee treats! I am sucker for the holiday ones... they are just to yummy. SO, just like my previous post with all the birthday cakes and ice cream, these high calorie flavorings to my coffee are not helping me either! LOL :)

Check this out...they even have recipe for these creamers! CRAZY...but I'm sure so good. Gonna give this a try soon. :)


Frozen Vanilla Cappuccino
If you like your cappuccinos cold, try this frozen vanilla version.

Yield: 2
Ingredients:
2 cups ice cubes
1 1/2 cups strong coffee, chilled
1/4 cup French Vanilla Flavor NESTLÉ COFFEE-MATE Liquid Coffee Creamer
3 tablespoons granulated sugar
Ground cinnamon
Instructions:

PLACE ice, coffee, Coffee-mate and sugar in blender; cover. Blend until smooth. Pour into 2 glasses; sprinkle with cinnamon.

Birthday Craziness!

Its about this time every year that I am reminded why we save (starting in summer) for all the family birthdays for the Fall/Winter because ummmmmm, like my entire family and Ryan's have Fall Birthdays! NOT kidding friends!! I'll just break it down for ya. ;)

August- My Dad
Sept.- My Brother-n-law, My mother-n-law, Ryan, & Annalise
Oct.- My sister, Avery, and Father-n-law
Nov.- My sister-n-law & her husband, Mine
Dec.- Addie's, and 2 Nieces
Jan.- My Mom

Seriously...it's like my entire family on both sides except my sister's son, Chandler who has a June birthday! Crazy! It sure does make for lots of fun which is all fine and dandy but it sure is hard to keep the curves looking good when you are constantly eating cake and ice cream! LOL Then, you got the Halloween candy creeping in followed by the most delicious Thanksgiving dinner ever and finally all the Christmas treats and sweets. :) I'm telling ya, its a killer!

So, next weekend I'll host a "all girl" party for Avery where once again there will be a sundae ice cream bar, popcorn, and pinata! And once again, I'm looking forward to packing that pinata with every single piece of candy I adore. ;) LOL

Fall....Oh, how I love thee....

Yea, if you know me even a little or a lot, the season Fall is one of my favorite! I love everything about and one of the grandest parts is that 2 of my 3 girls were born in Fall and the other being born in Winter! (which is a favorite too) :)

These past weeks in South Texas have been amazing! I am totally loving the low humidity and bright blue, sunny days. Its a nice break when you come off such a sticky, steamy Summer. Its such a freshness to the soul to get outside more and see people decorate their home with warm colors and scents. I love it & a total sucker for it too.

I hope these Fall days are bringing you joy and you find time to enjoy the surroundings wherever you are. :)
Happy Friday to some of my favorite people!

Addie's Baptism

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
—John 3:16-17

It was an amazing weekend! My sweet, Addie Noel, was baptized Friday night by Ryan. Many family and friends came out to watch Addie. It was so incredible to stand up there and watch Ryan baptize our first daughter. I am thankful for a God who saves and uses ordinary people and children to further His kingdom. I am so excited to watch Addie grow in the Lord and truly become a servant.
We Love you Addie and are so, so very proud! :)


But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
—John 1:12

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
—John 14:6

The Overdue Birthday!!!

With a very, crazy, yet very fun packed week and weekend, I am way overdue posting my Happy Birthday to my little fireball, Annalise!
Annalise was born into this world on September 29th and was the completion of the Prater household. My 3rd girl...wow, what a bullet she has been! :) I often wonder how a little girl that size can make me so mad and turn around and make me laugh so hard. She is a sweetheart and loves to have fun. I enjoy your happy heart and she lights up this house with her contagious joyful spirit.
I thank God for her life...Annalise, you are super special!

Happy 5th Birthday Annalise! Mom and Dad love you so much! :)

Happy Birthday!!!

Happy 36th Birthday to the most wonderful, most incredible, and love of my life..Ryan.


Life is more fun sharing it with you. I can't wait to see what blessings God brings into your life in this next year and the many years after.
You are a blessing to so many and just like the Martina McBride song says...
"Everybody calls you amazing...and I just call you MINE."


I love you tons!! Happy Birthday RYAN. :)

I just had to share...

Ok, I am sitting on the floor in the living room on a Saturday night watching Texas/Texas Tech football & using my husband's laptop do get some blogging in. Then, I found some very old pics of us as a family and of the girls on his computer. I had to share them!!!
CRAZY...time goes by so unfairly too fast. Enjoy these funny pics. ;)
(Family pic @church 2005)

(Annalise -1 day old @hospital

(hospital pic-1st time girls saw me & annalise in hospital)

(avery & addie-2004)

(annalise- my paci girl walking around)

(avery-2005)

(the girls- pregnant w/ annalise)

(avery & addie)

Fun stuff! Miss all those crazy days but soaking up this new journey. Reminds me to keep taking lots of pics! ;)

Secretariat

I can't wait to see this new Disney movie coming out in October. I'm not sure if little Annalise can handle a movie that's based on a true story and with no animation but I really think Addie and Avery will love it. We are big time animal lovers and they've already mentioned how much they really want to see Secretariat. I think it will be a perfect family (or at least a big girl) date! Enjoy the trailer. :)

It's Happening..

And what's happening is God's work right in front of my eyes! Even looking back over the past 3 months, I can see how God is weaving my family for His kingdom.
It has been an amazing journey just to seek God more, spend time in His word more, and really pray together as a couple for our future. Now, its exciting to see those fruits and obedience come into the light and God show us little glimpses of confirmation and happenings! And to top it off, our church is doing a series on knowing God's Will for your life. It couldn't be the more perfect timing as we take big steps & risks for God.
Our lives are to be set apart completely for God. I find more truth in that each day. You actually feel your selfish desires start to diminish as you feel and see God use people, places, and others hearts and lives to confirm that He takes care of our every need and even our future!

I am reminded of these verses and I pray it to brings you hope this day and for your future.
Happy Friday! :)

""Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart."
~Psalm 37:4

"The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks him."
~Lamentations 3:25

Blog Recipes

I love blogging for many reasons, but the past couple of days, I have found some amazing recipes from bloggers that I follow. I love new, fun, creative ideas for making dinner and better yet, a fun holiday treat! :)
Here are 2 I came across that I thought were to good not to share. Enjoy! :)

Chicken Chow Mein
2 or 3 chicken breasts
1 carrot
1 celery stalk
1 diced red pepper
1 4 oz can of sliced mushrooms (or fresh mushrooms)
1 can water chesnuts
1 can baby corn (I used half the can)
1 can bamboo shoots
Sesame Seed Oil
Soy Sauce
Chow mein noodles or white rice

Boil the chicken breasts. Save the chicken broth. In a large pan - put a tbsp or two of sesame seed oil over medium heat and saute all the vegetables for 10 minutes or so. Cut the chicken into small pieces and add in. Add 2 cups of chicken broth and soy sauce to taste (I added quite a bit). Leave on medium heat and cook another 10 minutes or so. Serve over chow mein noodles. (or white rice if you prefer).

Candy Corn Bark
What you need:
A bag of pretzels (skinny small stick kind)
a package of oreos
a package of seasonal candy corns
a brick of white choc. candy coating

Step 1 - Take your pretzels and break them up and spread all over a cookie sheet.
Step 2- Did you know they make seasonal oreos ?
Well break them up and spread on top of Pretzels.
Also take the candy corns and spread them on top of the oreos.

Step 3 - Melt your white chocolate in the microwave in 30 second intervals.
then poor on top of the pretzels, candy corn, and oreos.

Also sprinkle a few candy corns on top to make pretty!

Step 4 - Put in freezer for like 15-20 minutes or until it's all set.

Step 5 - Break apart and Enjoy!!

Remembering 9/11

I was 6 months pregnant, teaching at a private school and sitting in chapel when a co-worker leaned over the pew before chapel started and told me that one of the twin towers had been hit by an airplane. Later, it was confirmed that USA was under attack and all the teachers during their breaks were gathered in the library glued to the TV.
It forever changed America and so many other things. I am thankful for the men and women that were heroes on that horrific day. I am thankful for the men and women who sacrifice their lives for our country and freedom every day.
May we all be reminded that its not how you die, but how we live! God bless and praying for the many families that were forever changed on September 11, 2001.

3 weeks come and gone....and a tad more!

Wow, I can't believe we have already been in school 3 weeks! It has been so crazy, not out of control crazy, just so much has been going on. I started working 2 days a week this year and it has been a really good fit & still have flexible hours for the girls. However, my house cleaning, laundry, and my blogging have been interrupted greatly! ;) Its funny how just a 2 day change in the schedule messes up my routine and groove I had going on. Therefore, I think now I have conquered a set schedule for myself, my husband, and my family.
Also, we have had a PACKED calendar with baby showers, birthdays, traveling Labor Day, surprise birthdays for friends, church commitments, and that doesn't even include the school stuff for the girls. So, I've made it to the 3 week mark and I am thankful for a restful Friday night at home to just chill.

Well,Fall is right around the corner and I CAN'T wait. I love the Fall time. Its so warm, beautiful season and colors, and it kicks off all the holidays. :) I am so ready for some cooler weather too. I would like to share with you a few from my favorite season... :)
Football
Pumpkin Spice latte (Starbucks)
Pumpkin pancakes
Fall Candles
Pumpkin Cake
Orange Pumpkins outside the homes
Ahhh...I dream of someday going to the North East in the Fall to see what a "true" Fall looks and smells like unlike South TX! ;)
I hope you all are doing well and are getting into a groove with the new school year and this new season that's upon us.
Wishing you all a very awesome, joyful, Fall semester!!! :)

The Last Prater Pre-Ker

Yep, my little firecracker, Annalise, started preschool yesterday! I can't believe this is our last preschool experience along with her turning 5 at the end of this month. :) Just like most girls...she talked nonstop about her day and how much she loved Peewee school! So here's to the baby of the bunch who is not so much a "baby" anymore.
We love you crazy girl! :)

A Good Read and Quote

This summer I read a really, really good book called
Scouting the Divine
My Search for God in wine, wool, and wild honey
by Margaret Feinberg
It was a very easy read yet so engaging and Margaret is such a gifted storyteller. After spending some time in the bible this morning and reading, I thought of this book. It reminded me that the creator of the universe, of all things, God the Father is interested in having a relationship with me. Enjoy the quote that I read in my bible. I think you too will say..how Great is his love for us!
Happy Monday!

"I am amazed and humbled to realize that an awesome, omnipotent, sovereign God would want to communicate with me. But that's one of the reasons he created us: he wants us to have fellowship with him. People have tried to explain how to hear the voice of God. In my opinion, nobody has been able to describe it fully. I believe God's sheep know the Shepherd's voice by faith."
~Thelma Wells

Celebrating a Life

Today we celebrated a little girl that I could claim as my own, sweet Madi girl! Madilyn is my neighbor and friend's little girl. I had the honor to help serve that family by watching Madilyn for the whole spring semester so her mom could work as a teacher and finish off the school year. Today was Madilyn's birthday party and my girl's were all over her. In fact, they pretty much think she hangs the moon! ;) We love her dearly and she just makes my heart melt when I walk in a room and she is excited to see me and wants me to hold her. She knows this momma took good care of her and loved every minute!
Happy Birthday Madilyn Jane Hooks! We love you. :)

My Friend

You see, God has a reason for everything and this past year, he surprised me greatly with a new friendship. It came in the most unique way and I am deeply thankful for God crossing our paths. She's funny, she's beautiful, she makes me laugh..a lot, she has a beautiful smile, and she truly has the sweetest ways about her! Please meet, Mrs Cassie Munoz! :) My new friend, Cassie!



My middle girl started kindergarten last year and we received the best gift ever which was Cassie as Avery's teacher. That's where the journey began and at first I was drawn to her humor ( i love people who make me laugh...look who i married..enough said)!!! ;) She was fun and then I was drawn to her for many reasons but one being her love and nurturing spirit that poured into my little Avery girl. I then began to reach out and just really get to know Cassie the woman, not just the teacher. She was special just like I knew within my heart. After a school year, many texts, emails, and conversations, and an obsessed night to see the Twilight Saga together, I developed a friendship with Cassie that is truly dear to my heart.
Now, another school year is upon us and I knew that Avery would not be in kinder again and have Cassie but I did know that she would be right there to drop by and say hi, go see and chat with her, and even be with her at school functions. This was going to be GOOD to spend another school year with this gal until I got the dreaded email/phone call... Cassie would not be back at our school due to low numbers in the kindergarten! I was sick to my stomach, in fact to be honest, that night I found out I ate WAY to many french fries due to depression!!! :( I was so sad for many reasons but I was really sad for Cassie because that meant moving schools & a possible move in grade level. Never fun if you been a teacher!!
So some time passed, and the day before I went to see the posted list of the teachers my girls had gotten, I was so sad. It really hit me that this was not good for our new found friendship and this was not going to be easy trying to get together with me having 3 girls & working part time and Cassie working full time, with 2 boys. Ugggg.....The next day I went up to school and saw her room empty which only reminded me of my emptiness feeling of her not being among us this school year.
Tonight I'm blogging about my new friend, Cassie! I miss her, I miss her smile, her laugh, her humor, her presence! This is one time that texting and emailing just can't take the place of that personal hug or face to face conversation.
I am thankful for many things tonight though. :)
I am thankful she has a job and its still in kindergarten. I am thankful she'll bless another team of teachers with her sweet spirit. I am thankful for this past year and her life. I am thankful for her friendship. I am thankful for football games & vampire movies that will bring us together face to face! :)
Love ya Cassie...I miss ya dearly!

First Day of School 2010!!

This parenting thing goes by way to fast! My Addie and Avery are growing up, yet they are getting more and more fun! :) Each year, it gets a little easier but it will always amaze me how quick they are becoming young ladies.
As my girls step foot in 3rd and 1st grade, I am praying for an amazing school year!

We love you Addie and Avery!! Good Luck! :)