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! :)