Springtime Dessert

Super easy...1 boxes instant vanilla pudding, angel food cake broken into pieces, berries, berries and more berries and finally freshly made whipped cream on top!

Now...to buy the proper serving dish to display this yummy treat!

The people this will touch is countless...

http://www.stbaldricks.org/about-us/headlines/view/headline/title/Samantha%E2%80%99s+Spontaneous+Shave+for+Childhood+Cancer/id/1738

This is Samantha's story published on their website. God's hands are reaching deep and wide...praise Him and those who get touched by this amazing story.

One year later

I am sure those of you that read this blog regularly remember the St. Baldrick's event last year and what happened. It is hard to believe that it was a whole year ago three of my kids felt led to shave their heads to supports kids with cancer.

So here we are a year later...they had their second annual Shave party last night and while we didn't get a chance to head over this year I wanted to update you with my kiddos. Nathan and Jacob are currently sporting a new buzz cut done in the back yard last week...it is AZ after all and it is starting to get warm so they are happy with short hair. Jacob did request to 'shave' again at the event but it wasn't going to work out with our schedules. I still love his heart about the whole thing though...still a proud mama.

Samantha is another story. She still often talks about the event and her sacrifice. She said she didn't want to do it again this year and I know the challenge of the short hair really stretched her at times. She did say just because I don't want to this year doesn't mean I won't again in a couple years. She is still so sweet. Below is an updated, one-year-later shot. Her hair has grown significantly. I have trimmed the ends a few times but she is thrilled to be able to wear many styles again.

Recently, I found out the charity is going to be running a story about my kids and this amazing, unforgettable day a year ago, and I can still tear up at the pictures and their pure, untainted hearts.

Please consider this charity as one you are supporting...kids fighting cancer is not pretty and we can all do a little something to help.

Not so good at waiting

Does this statement ring true for you as well? I think part of our humanness or 'flesh' make it impossible to wait.
I am probably the worst one...seriously the worst. Anytime I have to sit and wait on God's timing, where I can't get my grubby little hands into the mix and make something...ANYTHING happen, then I am a mess all around.

My dreams are consumed with a mix of wanting a certain outcome and wanting God's will. I even start to wonder if my faith is just too small to handle the wait. That ugly little thing we call doubt creeps in ever so slightly. I question if I am actually good enough to even ask God for what I want, heck if I even deserve what I want. It's like my brain starts to take over and I cannot always stop it from going down those dark paths. I try like mad to combat these thoughts with scripture and sometimes it works...it works on a day like today.

I have not been sleeping well, another lovely side affect for me when I am waiting, and I have been spending those long hours in the night praying. Praying for God's will, praying for my heart to align with His will. Praying the answer would just come already. Praying I can handle what ever that answer is. In the midst of these poorly slept nights I also remember a book I keep at my bedside table. And to be completely honest I keep this book there to read every day, only I almost never do but sooooo want to. Today, I woke up, stared right at the book and thought, "I am reading today's devotional, and it is going to be exactly what I need!" The funny thing about such a bold statement is I hardly ever make them to myself. I tend to get my thoughts all scrambled up between truth and untruth and then the storms can really get crazy in my thoughts. Aren't you all so glad you are reading just how messed up I am? Hahahahah!!! (If I can't laugh at myself, and be honest about my struggles then I am in BIG trouble!!)

I think all the late night prayer is working because I was able to claim that brief moment of thought and I know it came from the One who has me wrapped in His arms. I snagged the book in the early morning, straining to read in the low light and realized it must be time to get up. I walked straight into the bathroom, flipped on the light and I swear my heart smiled because I knew God was going to speak to me in this exact moment and the bonus it was going to be exactly what I needed to hear to get through today...maybe even the weekend. This is what it said...

"I AM a God of both intricate detail and overflowing abundance. When you entrust the details of your life to Me, you are surprised by how thoroughly I answer your petitions. I take pleasure in hearing your prayers, so feel free to bring Me all your requests. The more you pray, the more answers you can receive. Best of all, your faith is strengthened as you see how precisely I respond to your specific prayers. Because I am infinite in all My ways, you need not fear that I will run out of resources. Abundance is at the very heart of who I AM. Come to Me in joyful expectation of receiving all you need- and sometimes much more! I delight in showering blessings on My beloved children. Come to Me with open hands and hearts, ready to receive all I have for you."

Jesus Calling, a 365-day devotional by Sarah Young

See what I mean...perfect!! What a joy to serve a God who wants to meet our needs and then some...a God who wants to answer our prayers. And although I am still waiting today I am trusting a whole lot more too! He loves me, He wants to give to me everything I desire, and He wants me to trust He knows what is best. (SIGH)!! Now that is a relief and release...maybe I will sleep well tonight too! (And if not...it is ok, I know He is working it all out in His time)

Blessing to you dear ones...

Beauty after the storm

Some of my favorite days in AZ are when we have a decent rain storm and when I wake up the morning after the skies are vibrant blue and the air is crystal clear. Everything is clean and free from the dust and pollution that is typical. I can see mountain ranges in every direction and most with actual detail that poor air quality can blur. I of course took advantage the other day and grab a gorgeous shot of our beloved Red Mountain. It is a privilege to have it right in our back yard...such beauty to enjoy especially after a storm

More please...

I made this divine dessert over the weekend and I testify that it tastes even better than it looks!!

Easy too...

2 boxes of instant vanilla pudding
\Angel food cake
Berries, berries and more berries!!
Fresh made whipped cream

Spring Break in AZ

We have officially reached spring break here in Mesa...and I am feeling really good about it this year. To a certain extent, every year I tend to dread the week with all five home, in each others business 24/7. They love to play but not quite that much of concentrated time. This year I have some help!! Grandma Annie is taking Jacob and Samantha to a museum, Aunt Kimmie had a couple kiddos over for a sleep over and we are headed back to the "Happiest place on earth" by mid week. Plus, you cannot argue one bit about the weather. (I even got a sunburn at the soccer tournament this weekend...bet you can't say that in the mid west in March!!)

One of my favorite things about spring in the dessert are the wild flowers...and although it has been a dry winter I still enjoy seeing the beautiful color pop up every where!!

Have a wonderful spring to all my friends and family...

3rd Annual Rodeo Day

Disclaimer...I say 3rd annual because for me it was! (Hahahah) Jacob and Samantha each had their own Rodeo Day at preschool and today was Hannah and Nathan's turn. We sure could not have asked for a more gorgeous day as the sun was shining and gentle breeze blew for the cowboys and cowgirls. There were sack races, a stick horse obstacle course and horseshoe toss to name a few of the fun games during their rodeo. (And you know it is a good, hard day when they all slept for almost two hrs this afternoon....yeee hawww, says this Mama!)

Here are a couple of cute pics of our cow pokes...

Baby Shower Treats

Today was my sweet cousin's baby shower. I made the desserts and had too much fun doing it too!!

I tried marshmallow fondant for the first time and LOVE it! It is easy to work with although a bit labor intensive. But the labor aside it tastes good which is enough to beat out regular fondant any day!

 This is the cute game table. My mom came up with a few games but my favorite was the clothes line memory game...it worked as decoration too!

The dessert table....ooooo la la!!!

Picnic in the Park

Today was absolutely gorgeous! It was a perfect day for a picnic lunch at the park...good thing too since that we had a planned mom2mom play day! I packed up lunch, blankets and God brought the sunshine! We enjoyed connecting with our friends. I certainly feel blessed to have a wonderful group of ladies to hangout with.

And just for fun I added a 60's photo edit to the pics I took today...