Another Wonderful Birthday

So, it was that time of year again when I turn yet another year older.  As usual, my kids made my day great!

The boys wanted me to open their presents to me first thing in the morning. They painted wooden bird house ornaments and made cards for me. Ben also bought me a gift card to Tim Hortons. He's so thoughtful.

Then we had to get going to violin lessons. After we were done, we went to the dollar store. Rebekah bought me a Mars Bar and Jacob bought me a Caramilk.  When I asked him later if I could eat it, he asked, "Which one did I buy you?" I told him and he told me he ate it! So, he gave me a tootsie roll instead. He is so funny!

Rebekah also painted me a wooden bird house ornament and she and her friend worked all day to make me a beautiful birthday cake.

Rebekah and her friend measuring ingredients

They did such a lovely job.

Later, Larry came home with some balloons, pop and chips. It kind of gave me the idea that we were expecting company, but I didn't say anything.  And while we were eating supper, Larry handed me a jewelry box with a beautiful necklace with heart pendent.

 

 

When we were just done with supper, a vehicle pulled into our driveway and our really good friends showed up for a party!  We had lots of fun.  They came bearing gifts too.  They are Mennonites from Mexico and brought us some Mexican beef soup with jalapenos and chocolate cheesecake.

 

 

We ate it for lunch the next day. When I opened the can of jalapenos, they smelled so good. So I added a good teaspoon of them to my soup. My mouth was on fire!  I didn't add as many to my second bowl. It was so good and I am so thankful for good friends.

Also, throughout the day my family and friends called to wish me Happy Birthday. I even was completely blessed by a friend who phoned. We hadn't talked much in the last few years and it was SO nice to hear from her.
Thank you to my family and friends for helping me have a wonderful birthday.

A Recap of Our Last Week and a Half, Valentine's Day, Family Day and Penpals

It's so nice to feel good again! I have been under the weather for 2 weeks and finally started feeling better.

But there is so much to share, so I will just do a review post, starting with Valentines Day.

We don't really celebrate Valentines Day around here, so when Larry came home with beautiful roses and chocolates, I was very surprised and happy!

 

 

Next year I think we might borrow Shannon's idea from Apple Blossoms and make Valentine Hearts with scripture verses about love on them.  I just love that idea!

Then, here in Alberta, we got to celebrate a holiday called, "Family Day". We love this holiday that we get to spend time together and do fun things. 
First, our church had a Family Day Celebration a couple of days before Family Day.  Our youth pastor had a competition between the boys and girls to see who could do the best ice sculpture.

The girls had to make a sculpture of the bible story, "Noah's Ark".

The girls carving out Noah's Ark

The boys had to make a sculpture of the bible story, "Jonah and the Whale".

Here is the inside of the whale and Jacob is "Jonah"

 

 

Here are a couple more pictures of our Church Family Day

 

 

 

 

 

Then came Family Day. Our town always puts on such a fun day. With free hot dogs, hot chocolate, wagon rides, face painting and ice skating.

 

Enjoying a horse drawn wagon ride

Our Spidermen

Later that week, Jacob had a dentist appointment in Edmonton and I realized one of Rebekah's pen pals lives in a little town kind of on the way. So, Rebekah contacted her and made plans to go and spend the afternoon at her house.  She was so sweet and I really enjoyed getting to know her family over tea when we got back.

 

 

That's not all, but this post is getting too big, so I will stop it here for now. 

I have No Greater Joy..

than to hear that my children walk in truth.  3 John 1:4

I have some exciting news to share!

The other night on Feb. 4, Larry and I had the privilege of leading Jacob to Christ.  Actually, it all started with a conversation Ben and Jacob were having in their room. Ben was telling Jacob about heaven and hell.  Then Jacob told Ben he wanted to go to heaven and Ben told Jacob to come tell me.
Jacob came running into the kitchen, looking very excited. He blurted out, "I want to be a question!" I said, "You can't be a question."  It's a good thing he clarified himself and didn't just walk away thinking he couldn't be a Christian .
I started explaining the steps to salvation;

1.  Admit you are a sinner
2.  Know that the penalty for sin is death
3.  Believe that Jesus, being fully God, died on the cross as payment for your sins.
4.  Rejoice in your new life in God!

Then we went to Larry and he prayed with Jacob.  Jacob was so excited! And we just praised the Lord.  I have been praying that the second Jacob could understand the plan of salvation, that he would receive the Lord. What an answer to prayer.

Please Christian mothers, never cease in praying for your unsaved little ones. God hears your prayers!

Welcome to the family of God Jacob!

Easy Chicken Macaroni Casserole

A few months ago, I bought 5 boxes of frozen, boneless, skinless, chicken breasts for $2.88/lb.  That is unheard of around here.  But I have found that they cook up kind of rubbery.  So, I've had to think of ways to use them, where they are kind of hidden.
I made up this recipe for Chicken Macaroni Casserole one night by using what we had on hand and it turned out really good. It's loaded with flavour and everyone eats all the veggies in it which they wouldn't other wise. Bonus!

2-3 diced chicken breasts
2 Tbsp oil
1/2 onion, chopped
1/4 c chopper bell pepper (any colour)
1 can mushroom soup
1/4 c parmesan cheese
2 Tbsp parsley
2 Tbsp chicken OXO
1 c water
1 c frozen mixed vegetables
1 1/2 c grated cheese (I usually use mozzarella, but I used cheddar tonight)
4 1/2 c dry macaroni

Fry chicken in oil, with pepper (you don't need any salt as the OXO and parmesan are salty enough). Add onions and peppers.  Fry until cooked.  Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil and cook macaroni.
Stir soup into chicken. Add parmesan, OXO, parsley, water, and veggies. Cook, until warmed through.

Stir chicken mixture into cooked macaroni.

Pour into greased 9x13 pan and top with cheese. Bake at 350 for 35 mins.

While the casserole is baking, I like to wash up the pot, frying pan, strainer and grater so that they aren't as many dinner dishes to do up later.

This casserole makes 6 large servings.

Super Easy Peasy Crocheted Flowers

I forgot to do a post for the crocheted flowers that went with my knitted slippers.

  Actually, I won't give instructions, just this YouTube video. It was so easy and well explained, that ANYBODY could crochet these flowers.

 

 

I haven't crocheted in over 20 years and I was able to pick up my hook and go.  I like to sew a clasping pin to the back, so that you can put it on anything. Such as, a toque, slippers, a purse, sweater, headband .......