Jesus

Around Easter we had explained to Eli who Jesus was and what He did for us. We told Eli that Jesus loved him and why we should love Jesus. We described all that Jesus did and does for us. And we would ask Eli if he loved Jesus. He said yes. Then he would say Jesus. It sounded like this: Gee-shush. Pretty close! Sometime this week he forgot how to talk and now when I ask him to say Jesus it sounds more like this: Shara or Sarah. I tried to explain that Sarah isn't Jesus, but I just don't think he gets it...

Seeking God

Recently Andy and I have had an issue arise numerous times. Sometimes this means God is trying to teach me something!

Believers are called to obey God even if they are alone in that. In every relationship, regardless of whether the other participants are righteous and holy in their actions, I am to live and act as God has commanded. I am to follow God's will. I have to do what is right in the eyes of God.

I will not answer for what someone else has done.

I will answer for my attitude.

I will answer for my deeds.

This means that I have to seek God's will and God's wisdom in each matter. I cannot assume that what I think is right, I have to read and pray over God's Word, asking Him to give me wisdom to see His will. I need to strive for truth, not human truth, because we humans are foolish, but real TRUTH that can only come from God. I know that God is faithful and when I earnestly seek Him, I will find Him. Hebrews 4:16 says, "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." WOW!

This is somethings that I want to teach Eli in small ways now, through everyday situations. I would love to know how you have taught your children to diligently seek God and be righteous no matter what the circumstances.

Work Weekend

My mom came to Branson last weekend to help me get the room ready for the baby. We planned to paint, organize, go through clothing, etc. On Friday evening I noticed that the base boards and the carpet in the baby's room were wet. Just a small section that shared a wall with the bathroom. Saturday morning came with much more work than anticipated! Andy called his dad for advice on locating and fixing the leak. We also discovered mold growing. My mom and I took Eli to buy paint and Andy began tearing out the bathroom vanity. Andy's dad, Mike, drove to Branson from Tulsa to help with the bathroom project that also turned into a bedroom project. Here is what had to be done...

-remove vanity (was molding) and sink
-remove affected baseboards in both rooms
-clean and bleach baseboards to remove mold
-tear up laminate tile in bathroom
-tear up carpet in bedroom to check extent of damage and mold
-cut into the bottom of wall to check structure and insulation for damage and mold
-remove 2x4 from bottom of the wall, replace
-replace drywall
-install new vanity and sink
-tear up all the old carpet and part of the old pad
-install new carpet and pad
-paint
-move a TON of furniture everywhere

I think that is it, but there could be more. We still have to lay the ceramic tile in the bathroom. We have a concrete floor for the time being.

Here are some photos of all the hard work. We should be a remodel team on HGTV. All this was completed on Saturday!


Eli helping. He is standing in the bedroom. The dresser is in the hallway.

Eli and I painting the room for his little sister! Color is hard to see in there pics. It is a shade of yellow!

Andy and Mike working in the bathroom.

A small, slow leak can cause lots of problems!

The end result!

We painted 2 walls the yellow we had bought from Lowe's and used the rest of the paint to mix with white for the other 2 walls. They are a lighter shade of the same yellow. The new carpet was a remant from Lowe's called mocha. It is darker that I had envisioned, but I love it.

Carmody will love her new room too!

Baby Girl

We are having a baby girl. Andy has thought this for a while, but it took more to convince me. We had an ultrasound and the tech said the baby was a girl, however I still wasn't sure. I had another ultrasound a few days later. (To check for possible complications- all looks well!) Megan went with me because Andy was in Washington D.C. Both of us, as well as the technician, thought girl! She weighed 1 lb 1 ounce on April 24. I am sure she is growing everyday. I know I am!

I have often been asked about what we will name her. We plan on, but of course it is not set in stone, naming our daughter Carmody. My Grandma Boddy's maiden name was Carmody. It grows on me more and more, so if you don't like it, keep thinking about it!

Banana Cookies

Bananas are 19 cents a pound EVERY WEDNESDAY at the new Sunfest grocery store across from Holiday Hills on 76. Eli and Andy love bananas so I buy 5lbs a week. If I have leftovers I either peel and flash fleeze them, then store in a zip-loc for making shakes or I make banana cookies! These are delicious and healthy enough to eat for breakfast. We love them!

Banana Cookies

Ingredients:
· 3 very ripe bananas, mashed
· 1/2 cup butter, softened
· 1 cup brown sugar, packed (I actually use about 1/3 cup, the bananas make it so sweet, without adding much sugar!)
· 2 eggs (the original recipe called for 4 egg whites and that was too much work for me!)
· 3 cups oats
· 2 tbsp. whole wheat flour
· 1/4 cup milk (a little less works too, depending on the consistancy of your bananas)
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
· 1/2 tsp. salt
· 1 tsp. vanilla
· 1/2 chocolate chips or nuts (if you wish-- I've made them plain, with nuts, or with choc. chips... they're good no matter what!)
Directions:
· Mix first 3 ingredients together in a large bowl. Add egg whites and mix. Add remaining ingredients except nuts or chocolate chips. After dough (more like batter, really) is mixed, add nuts or chips.
· Batter will seem too liquid, but drop on cookie sheet by tablespoon anyway.
· Bake at 350 for approx. 12 minutes.