Aunt Jemima in the Kitchen

I was blessed with two amazing additions to my kitchen...the first was from my sweet husband- a new 7 Qt Professional KitchenAid Mixer in a gorgeous red.

The second came from a dear family that the girls and I clean for- a Double Belgium Waffle Maker.

Both of these things are quite wonderful! You see, I have secretly longed for, wanted and wished for each of these things for well over a year.

 Each time I would go to a store that sold them, I would stop by the display, touch them, play with them and imagine how nice it would be to actually own them ONE DAY.

Now, before your mouth drops in appalling disgust at my ungodly dissatisfaction with the abundance that God had already provided, please note that it wasn't that I wasn't happy with what I had, I just thought that these would be nice to have, seeing that we do so much baking and with a large family, I had long maxed out my small mixer.

Plus, I don't find my true joy and happiness in "things" -my husband and I have had this discussion many times when he was trying to find out something that he could buy me. I live contented. I feel so blessed, that honestly, I cannot wish for more!

...BUT there are things that may make life a bit easier, convenient and would be very helpful.

Having said all of this, you can imagine that I was pretty excited to break out the beautiful red Professional KitchenAid Mixer ***did I mention that it's a beautiful red? ;) and the new Belgium Waffle Maker.

I searched for a wonderful recipe...one that I could put together the night before, seeing that I would have to start cooking pretty early if I wanted to give everyone a chance to eat piping hot, fresh waffles before heading out the door.





I decided to triple the recipe so that we would have enough to eat for breakfast as well as enough to freeze. My plan is to make fresh waffles every Tuesday, freeze some and then on more stressful mornings, be able to pop our homemade waffles in the oven or toaster without having store-bought frozen waffles or cereal.

                       So far, so good. I have a nice bag full of waffles for "grab and go" mornings. :)

Ready for the freezer, seperated by paper plates.

My only complaint is that the recipe tastes a little like a sour-dough version. (which is fine BUT my husband walked into the kitchen and asked if they were fermented!)

So, I think I'll search for another recipe for next week. :)



All in all, my first week of trying to get back on track after the Holidays and sickness has been wonderfully productive...which makes for a well-managed home and ONE HAPPY MAMA!

We're Hoos...How 'Bout You?

Do you have a special date night splurge with your husband? Is there something out of the ordinary (other than your home, children and family life) that you two share?

A hobby, sport, activity or passion that brings the two of you together...not the run-of-the-mill normal "living" kind of things.


For us, it's football. More specifically, college football.


You see, we've grown up in a college town.

Charlottesville, Virginia...home to The University of Virginia

We are Virginia Cavaliers fans, through and through.

We've known how to "paint the town orange" since we can remember. Well, It probably took a little longer for my country boy to come around as a Wahoo fan, seeing he spent so much of his childhood in the country, chasing fireflies and playing in the creek beds. ;)

Nevertheless, he is a HUGE fan, now!


I grew up watching UVA football games and I even had the privilege of going the women's basketball games with my dad.

My childhood dream was to play college basketball for UVA and attend the UVA Law School.

Twenty plus years later, I am an even bigger fan. My husband and I have found out that we enjoy watching the games TOGETHER. (If you run to the TV to catch the game when your man is not even home, you are, without a doubt a football fan! Yep, that's me!)


What we love even more than watching the game on TV is going TO THE GAMES...oh, my!

It's our "splurge".

A seemingly frivolous thing that brings us together...cheering on the home team, jumping with excitement when they score a touchdown and singing the "Good Ole' Song".

Whatever your splurge is with your "love" make sure that you don't get so busy living life, raising a family and paying the bills that you forget to do that special thing. Take the time to work on and build a strong marriage...one day those kids are going to be "raised" and on their own and you'll be left staring into the eyes of a stranger if you don't build your relationship now.

If you don't have something special, then make up something that can be your own...it doesn't even have to be expensive as long as it's just the two of you, together and enjoying your special friendship.

We even enjoy going for a drive on a pretty day or a warm evening, winding our way along back country roads, taking advantage of an occasional stop sign to lean over a sneak a passionate kiss or two...Or three. ;). It's those kind of things that will bind your hearts together and strengthen your marriage.

Living purposefully goes beyond raising your children...it's also what will make a fulfilling, lasting marriage.

Decking the Halls

I love Christmas....more importantly, I love the warmth, the joy and the family traditions that come along with it.

As I get older (I'm certainly not getting an younger) I find that I spend more time in reflection, savoring moments that may never come again.

One of my favorite times is when we decorate the tree. We get out the hot cocoa and eggnog, then my husband and I sit back to watch the large production of adorning our 9 foot tree. Our children know how it works (we've done it the same ways for years).

When my children were much smaller, I wanted them to be able to enjoy decorating the tree, as well as satisfy my "OCD" ways. ;). Sooo, I bought boxes and boxes of colorful Christmas balls...we have so many balls that they can put them wherever they want with no worries that someone will rearrange them because they are too close. Our tree is LOADED with these simple little balls.

After the hundreds (seriously, hundreds) of balls are on, then we bring out the special ornaments. Everyone gets to place their special ornaments which turns out to be quite a treat for them.

Once the tree is loaded, everyone steps back commenting how beautiful it turned out with the usual, "I love our tree" comments. :)

I love being a mom. I love the privilege that I have to impact and raise these special children that I have been blessed with. My heart overflows with joy!

A Little Drive and Memory or Two

We took a bit of some time away and enjoyed family time in Williamsburg.

My little soldiers trying on military uniforms.

Elaina and Her Daddy stopping for a quick shot in one of the houses as we toured the Jamestown Settlement.

Ode to JOY!

I have been strongly encouraged to write an uplifting post. A post to bring smiles of delight....where exactly shall I begin? I could begin nowhere but in the next room! You see, I have a delightful family (my greatest treasure and blessing).  A typical day around here is filled with conversation, laughter and silliness. Our day begins when my husband and I get up, grab a cup of coffee and spend a few minutes with the morning news while we wipe the sleepiness from our eyes.  As the bottom of our cups appear, we grab our Bibles, spend time alone in prayer and Bible reading.  Around seven, our golden retriever, Dolly is gotten up.  It is her job to cheerfully wake everyone else up in the house.  She does her job well and rather enjoys it!  First, she runs to Brittany's room, placing her paws right on her bed.  If by chance her face is close enough to the edge, she gets several slobbery kisses before she has a chance to know what hit her. :) Once Dolly is sure she has done the job thoroughly, getting a moment of cuddles with Brit, she heads upstairs to find the rest of her beloved family.  Her happy, half-growls, half-barks bring cheer to our mornings!  Who can wake up in a grumpy mood with such a wake-up call? Once everyone has done their devotions, eaten breakfast and dressed for the day, the children and I crowd around the living room, ready for morning school devotions. For quite some time, we have been going through a set of character sketch books for our school devotions.  Everyone seems to enjoy this, for the most part.  The book goes through different character traits and how they are illustrated in nature, as well as how it is illustrated in the Bible.  This is always interesting! I did say that everyone enjoys it "for the most part" because sometimes there are animals that the girls don't really care to learn about...you know, the creepy, crawly reptiles and so forth.  But, the boys eat it up! :) And thus our school day begins!   If I am feeling well, I shuffle between those needing help and housework.  THIS is my favorite way to spend the day! I absolutely love being a wife and mother- it is the most rewarding thing I could ever do.  It is such a joy to have the opportunity to have my children around me, to homeschool, to spend time with them, watching them grow, learn and develop.

True Treasure

Some women find happiness in their work, some in their social status, some find their happiness in the things they own. But for me, I could not ask for anything more than what God has given me. Above all else in this life of mine, I adore my family. They are my greatest blessing and my most valued treasure. If you knew them the way I know them, you would know why! As I think about each of them, a few things come to mind.

There are so many reasons why I love them but here are a few.

My husband…

The way his eyes still sparkle sometimes when he looks at me

The way that he keeps me grounded- things are black and white to him and me, well not so much

His playful spirit

The way he takes care of me- there are so many ways, but one that especially warms my heart is the way that he wakes me up every morning. He comes into the bedroom, with a cup of hot coffee and my medicine, gently helping me sit up in the bed with a warm hug and a kiss. Then he gives me my medicine. I can’t think of many better ways to be woken up!

Brittany, my 20 year old…

Her smile and playful spirit.

She has such a friendly personality, a “people person”.

Her creativity- I LOVE reading her blog. She has a wonderful way of writing and makes even the most boring things interesting.

She’s so good with children and they love her. She’s going to make a good mommy, she already understands the principles and ways of training. It warms my heart to see her working with them and guiding them in right.

McKenna, my 16 year old…

Her smile and crazy sense of humor.

Her servant’s heart- she’s a worker.

The sound of her piano playing in the background as I work around the house.

She is very good with children and I notice the way she sets her plans aside so she can read a book, jump on the trampoline or play with them.

Elaina, my 14 year old

Her smile and quick wit.

She has the most gentle spirit & tender heart.

She is such a worker- and if I want it done “right” she can handle it without a problem.

She has a submissive attitude and will do whatever I ask without complaint.

Abigail, my 11 year old…

Her compassionate heart & warm spirit

Her love language is definitely touch & needs lots of hugs and encouragement

She is one who will be sure to make an elderly person in the church feel loved & special

She loves animals and babies. I’m sure she will make a good mommy one day!

Samuel, my 8 year old…

His tender heart, he tells me twenty times a day, “Mommy, I love you.” He always has and I hope he always will

The way he loves his little beagle, Copper.

The way he is so sweet to his little brother & takes care of him.

His sense of humor- he is always trying to come up with something funny to do.

He loves to “organize” things either to make his mommy happy or “just because”

Joshua, my 7 year old

His sunshine personality and dimpled smile. Nothing melts mine and his sister’s hearts more than that little smile

His tenderness, he loves any kind of animal. He loves to bring his little treasures to me. There have been many times he has come in from outside with a handful of something, be it lizards, frogs, grasshoppers, you name it. It’s always interesting, I promise you!

He doesn’t mind being the baby of the family. Only sometimes, he will get on his sisters for calling him, “Baby” other times, he quite enjoys it.

I could go on forever but I won’t. Overall, I love my family, I love being with them, I am overwhelmed at times that God has given me such wonders. There is no one on this rich green earth that I would rather be with. I cannot understand the woman that wants to be anywhere but home. My home is my haven. It is the place where I find peace, joy, love, laughter, acceptance, encouragement and comfort. And for this I am most grateful.