I think she hears us AND she is laughing!

Brad is not a fan of road trips. He is not a very patient driver to begin with but anytime I plan a trip I try to find something close because he doesn't like to be in the car more than an hour. Two hours is really pushing it.

Rightfully so. As a kid, his vacations consisted of trips to Kansas or California to visit grandparents. Apparently these trips were not fun.

I, on the other hand, love road trips. There is something so peaceful about staring out the window for hours looking at God's creation. Even if it is cornfields for hours on end. I have fond memories of family vacations to Florida, driving through the night, and spending time with the family.

When we go somewhere as a family, I love the relaxing drives. Well, I love it until we get close to our destination and we need to find exactly where we have to go.

We have a Garmin that is a few years old. I love how she tells you where to go and gives you an estimated time of arrival. Unfortunately, she is not always the best at giving us the correct directions and it ends up with me and Brad yelling, turning around a million times, and trying to figure out exactly where we are supposed to be.

It always ends with Brad saying, "That thing is going in the garbage as soon as we get home."

I of course nod, knowing that I will not be throwing it out and our next trip we will play this fun game again.

We've had trips to Chicago where we keep losing satellite and she keeps saying, "Recalculating."

Brad: Where do I need to turn.

Me: I don't know. Just a second.

Garmin: Recalculating

Brad: I need to know where to go.

Me: I know but she's not telling me.

Garmin: Turn on ____.

Me: We needed to turn on that street.

Brad: You need to tell me before we get to the street.

Garmin: Recalculating.

You get the drift. And I should probably add a lot of exclamation marks and I'm not really sure how to add frustration.

Then there was the trip to Iowa. We missed the street we needed to turn on and she told us to go to the next street and it would bring is around in a circle. Well, it did not bring us around in a circle. It brought us to a dead end and we were pulling a trailer. Not fun to try and turn around.

Then on our way home from Iowa, she brought us a completely different route. We were on a time crunch and then she just turned off on us. Thankfully, my phone helped us a little and a quick stop at a gas station to ask directions.

This past weekend, Brad and I took a trip to Indianapolis. We were cruising along just fine until it was time to get off the highway and drive 2 miles to our hotel.

Me: Take a right. Now take a left.

Brad: This is weird. This is a subdivision.

Me: I know but that is what she said. Maybe it takes us through to the next street.

       Nope, dead end.

There was some landscaping and then we could see the street we needed to be on. We turned around.

After finally figuring out how to get to the other street, going through an Industrial area, we finally got close to the hotel. And because we don't like to do anything easy, we passed up the street to the hotel and turned around once again.

We figured out the next day that at the first right she had us take, we could have gone straight and it would have taken us directly to our hotel.

I am convinced that she can hear us. She purposely brings us the wrong way and then laughs at us as we fight and try to figure out how to get to our destination.

Can't wait to see where she brings us on our next trip!

The Most Amazing Cupcakes!!!!

A couple months ago our family went to visit some friends out of town.

It just so happened that we went a couple weeks after my friend celebrated her birthday and since she is weeeee bit older than me, I tend to give her a hard time. Seeing that I seem to be surrounded by people younger than me, my poor friend must take this abuse from me. Thankfully she is a good sport! (I feel like an old lady using that word but can't think of a better word.)

I brought her a nice bag filled with goodies for OLD people. Things like a nice housecoat, rollers, denture cream, arthritis rub, and a rain bonnet. I can't remember what else was in that bag. Give me a break, it's been a couple months! Unfortunately her husband videotaped my gift presentation, so I'm sure it will all come back to haunt me some day!

But after being a little mean, I did make it up her by giving her something nice.

Enter........our shared love for peanut butter.

I made her the MOST amazing cupcakes! Actually, the cupcakes were good but the frosting.......out of this world. Who wouldn't love peanut butter mixed with a lot of butter and then add some powdered sugar. I could have eaten the whole bowl!

WARNING: These are very dangerous. You will not be able to get them off your mind until they have all been eaten.

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cupcakes

1 cup all purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
6 tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature
3/4 cup smooth all natural peanut butter, at room temperature
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 cup whole milk
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

Peanut Butter Frosting
6 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup creamy peanut butter, natural
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup whole milk

For Cupcakes:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Combine milk and vanilla in a small bowl.

Combine baking powder, flour and salt in another bowl.

Beat butter and sugars in a bowl until light and fluffy.

Add eggs and blend until smooth. Slowly add peanut butter.

Alternately add half of the flour mixture and milk mixtures, mixing slowly, until all is incorporated.

Fold in chocolate chips.

Put into lined baking cups. Recipe says it makes 12. I actually got 16.

Bake for about 22 minutes or until golden brown.

For Frosting:

Combine sugar and salt in a bowl and combine milk and vanilla in another bowl.

Add Peanut butter and butter in mixer. Beat until smooth and creamy.

Alternately add sugar and milk mixture until fully incorporated.

If you want your frosting thinner add more milk. If you want it thicker, add some more powdered sugar.

Spread on your cupcakes and enjoy!!!!

Note: I am one to fudge on some the ingredients but on this recipe I did exactly as I typed it, so I am not sure of the outcome if you don't use Whole milk or natural peanut butter. I figure the natural peanut butter made them healthy. Right?


On a different note, what fun is a trip without a good game of find the dead cat and throw him in a corn field.

 

 

 

And, yes, I just posted about cupcakes and a dead cat in the same post. This blog is going downhill fast! Sorry about that.

Off to School Again

School has officially started. Today Alex, Amanda, and Joshua began 2nd grade and Isaac began 1st grade.

 

If you are Facebook friend of mine you probably saw our crying picture. (For those of you who aren't, sorry, I will not repost me with an ugly crying face.)  I was asked several times if I'm really sad.

 

Honestly, I would rather a lazy day at home with my family rather than doing anything else. I enjoy having my kids at home but yes, I do look forward to running errands by myself.

 

They all had a good day and have decided that they do want to be back at school. We'll see how long that will last!

 

Don't they look so old?

 

This is what happens when you try to take too many pictures.

 

As the kids head off to school, I have high hopes of getting many projects done.

A few weeks ago I found my list from last year. Four things crossed off, Nine still there. The four things crossed off all need to go back on this years list. I guess I wasn't too successful!

All I can do is try again this year!

First on my list is the lawn. It needs A LOT of TLC.

Next is cleaning vehicles and then we have the Spring cleaning the house which never got done. If I do it in the Fall, does that count for last spring and next spring?

And of course, organizing pictures and working on the kids baby books are on the list for the 3rd year now.

Now you understand why I don't want the kids to go back to school. I have work to do......lots and lots of work to do!

Looking Back and A Weekend of Celebrating

At our house we like to lump all our celebrations together. In July we celebrated Brad's birthday and then 4 days later it was Alex, Amanda, and Joshua's birthday.

Then in August we have our wedding anniversary and Isaac's birthday a day apart.

Of course in October, we have my lone birthday. I only mention it in case you were wanting to get a head start on shopping for my present. Of course, I will still take cash or gift cards in case you don't have time to shop.

Anyway, Brad and I went out on Friday night to celebrate our 12 year anniversary. We celebrated a day early. Here is a picture of us on the beautiful day 12 years ago.

So young and in love.....and clueless.

We were oblivious to fact that this someday would be our life.

Yes, I know I just posted an absolutely horrible picture of myself but I figured I just had a baby so nobody is allowed to make fun of me.

I often get asked, "How did you do it?" Honestly, looking at this picture makes me a little tired and I wonder myself how I did it. It was only by God's grace and Him giving me the strength to make it through each day that we have made it this far.

Here is a recent picture of Brad and I. Now...... when looking at this picture, I'm thinking that you are probably all thinking, "Wow! They've barely changed!" And then you notice all the wisdom in our eyes.

Ok, you can quit laughing now.

Yes, we've aged and I'm not sure we are wiser but I hope we are. I know we are more tired, that's for sure!

But seriously, I am very thankful for the past 12 years. God has truly blessed us. He has blessed our marriage and He has definitely blessed me with a man that I truly love, can call my best friend, and that I am extremely thankful for.

Then on Saturday night we celebrated the 7th birthday of my little baby Isaac. How did he get to be 7 already? He is having just as hard of a time growing up as I am with him growing up. We would both love if he could just stay my little boy. We've spent time snuggling this weekend and looking at baby pictures of him.

As I said, we went out Saturday night. We had a family night of miniature golfing and Isaac got to ride the go-carts with Brad. That was his favorite part of the night. Then we headed out to eat.

Today (his actual birthday) was celebrated with cake. He chose chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and sprinkles.

I am feeling very blessed this weekend. I look forward to seeing where God leads our family in the years to come.

A Couple Days Away

A couple weeks ago our family was able to sneak away for a couple days and have some fun.

The first day we headed to the Volo Auto Museum where we saw all kinds of........

Yep, you guessed it! Cars!

We saw expensive cars. This beauty was only $188,998!

We saw cute little convertible cars.

We sat in a racing car.

We saw old and shiny cars.

(The kids wanted to know why there were no seat belts in most of the cars.)

We saw famous cars. Lots of famous cars!

I was a little disappointed with Kitt. I thought he would be way cooler in real life. 

After the auto museum we headed over to Gurnee to check into our hotel, do a little shopping and get some food.

The next day we headed over to Great America and rode some roller coasters. At least the ones that we were tall enough to go on.

While eating lunch, I looked over and there was Brad flying this little airplane.

 We had a fun couple days and came home exhausted!

No Matter How Far

Many of you know that our family loves to volunteer at the Children's Hunger Fund warehouse in Homewood, IL.  But you may not know much about the organization.

Not only do they work locally with churches to bring food and the gospel to many but they work in many countries around the world.

Here is a short video that shows some of the work that is done around the world.

You can also get more information on their website at www.chfus.org.

Do you feel trapped in the machine of excess?

Yes.

Yes.

And Yes again!

That is the question on the back cover of the book 7 - an experimental mutiny against excess by Jen Hatmaker.

Recently I saw some women on Facebook discussing this book and I had to know more about it. I was told it was a must-read, so I moved it up on my list. High above the 200 books already on my pile.

My only regret.......I requested it from the library and I really wish I had my own copy. I finished it today and it was due back today. They won't let me renew it because someone else has requested it, so I am quickly writing a blog post before I bring it back tomorrow.

I'm not really even sure where to start with this book except to say that I LOVED IT!

If you want a book that is going to challenge you.....this book will do that!

Jen writes about 7 months that she took different areas in her life and fasted. Clothes, Shopping, Food, Waste, Possessions, Media, and Stress. She is very funny and I love her honesty. But she shares Bible passages along the way and shares her spiritual growth throughout this experiment.

I will just share a few things from the book, just so you get the idea. Each month involved the number 7 - hence the name of the book. Food month - she strictly at 7 different foods. Clothing month - she only had 7 articles of clothing she could wear. Media - her whole family fasted from 7 different types of media.

I really wish I had my own copy of this book because I would be underlining, highlighting and ready to share some of my favorite parts of the book......but "NOOOO...." I wanted to save my $10.

Even though Jen wrote the book, I would like to share a little bit of what her husband wrote at the end of media month:

One of Peter's early leadership lessons from Jesus was about letting go. He said the things we hold loosley are more likely to have eternal impact than the things we bind. When we hold too tightly to things, we lose perspective as well. While Jesus was talking about the kingdom in this passage, His words certainly give us insight to our created nature.

We like our stuff. We need our things. Usually the things we think we need become the very things we need a break from.......

.....Honestly, my biggest fear going into media month was that the world might stop turning until I was done, but I discovered others didn't need me to be as wired as I though. Most of my media involvement is simply about me (blah).

All told, media month offered some pretty good perspective. Someone once said, "Think about the things you'd most hate to lose (outside your family), and you'll identify your idols." These are not only the things we treasure too much but what we've likely lost perspective on. We place this stuff on a pedestal that wasn't built for it......

The dangerous part of our social media and technologically saturated world is not it's existence but what it distracts us from.....

So, what do I do next?

Do I just say, "Wow, that was a great book but doing all that is not for me. That is too radical."

I wish I could but I can't.

Tomorrow, before I bring this book back to the library, I will write down her 7 experiments. I will make notes. Next, I will try to get my family on board, so together we can determine areas in our life that we need to fast.

I will seek out my idols and find the things that I hold onto too tightly. I hope in the end, I not only find these things but I am able to let go of them and grow closer to God in letting them go.

I will keep you posted......

If you have read this book, I would love to hear from you and discuss with you what you think. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it and would love to hear your thoughts once you have.