It's Skyline Time!

O.K....I tried the Habanero cheese coney...not extreme...and not hot...sorry Skyline!

The infamous bag!

Cheese coney #2...the first was already gone! :) Yummy!

Here was my plan:

1. Come to Cincinnati and enjoy visiting with family

2. Take advantage of dad's weight room and drop some weight

3. Go home looking better than I came

Here is how my plan worked:

1. Came to Cincy and enjoyed visiting with family....check!

2. NO weight room and NO weight lost on trip...oops!

3. I still look pretty good! HaHa!!

4. Ate at mom's, grandma Yount's, Skyline(x3), Graeter's, and Taco Casa!

5. Plan failed...but boy did I enjoy my trip home!

What can I say? My planned failed, but I'm not disappointed! :) I got to Cincy... decided #4 of the above plan sounded like a better plan than carrot sticks, wheat grass shots, tuna and H2O! Mission accomplished in my book!

Congrats to Eric, Meg & Olivia

Congratulations Nichols family! Suzanna Kate was born at 7:49 a.m. Chicago time on Tuesday! I already saw her picture, and she is beautiful! I'm happy to hear that mom and baby are doing well! I'm sure Olivia will be an awesome big sister! The "Yount" family keeps growing and growing! It's always so exciting to see new babies born into our family! Erica and Valerie are up next!! I'm sure someone else is probably expecting too!! Who are you? Haha!!

Our trip to the Creation Museum!

Outside the Creation Museum...how cool

Just arriving to the Creation Museum...excited to go inside

The boys looking up to Uncle Jason

A really cool lizard

Jason and mom

Uncle Jason with Elijah

The prophet Isaiah

Jeremiah and Elijah standing in front of the prophets

The tomb is EMPTY...praise God!

One of the awesome signs in the museum...how true!

Jason in the Garden of Eden walk through

Elijah running across a bridge in the Botanical Gardens

We loved going to the Creation Museum in Kentucky! It is a wonderful museum for all ages! The kids had a blast! I would highly recommend going if you're ever in the area! They also have a big bookstore with great Biblical resources about creation versus evolution!

answersingenesis.org website

We Are in Cincy!!

The boys and I left this morning around 8 a.m. for Cincinnati!! This is the first time I've made this trip by myself with the kids, and I'm happy to report...we survived! The boys did really well and were excited to get to Mimi and Papa's( so was I)!! I really miss getting to be around my family in Ohio, and I plan on enjoying this time with them! :) Jeremy is at home working hard...as usual! He was going to bring us out, but we would've had to leave by Monday morning. I plan on staying a week or so! I'm so excited that I get to be here for my mom's birthday...no age named!! :) 29 again!! Hee Hee!! I'm also thrilled that my brother, Jason, is in from Chicago to visit with us!!
We went to O'Charley's this evening to eat supper together, and then we watched the fireworks from the Bigg's parking lot! Jeremiah was so excited to see the fireworks. Elijah was unimpressed...saying "these are stupid"! Isaiah managed to stay asleep until the last few fireworks.
I started this blog before we went to supper, and now we're back at mom and dad's. I'm definitely in Cincinnati...I'm sitting here with a pint of Graeter's Mocha Chip! I'm not saying I'm going to eat the whole pint, but then again.........maybe I will!! :) So awesome!!!
I am so happy to be back in my old stomping grounds! I'm looking forward to visiting family, shopping, eating at Skyline(a given), and having a blast with my boys! I've already made one shopping trip before I even got to Cincy! Mom met me at Polaris Mall...up above Columbus! I got to go on a "shopping spree" in Macy's with Mom's plastic! I tried to be reserved with the spending, and I greatly appreciated the gift and generosity of my mom!! She is the best mom anyone could ever ask for!! :) I got 3 tops, 1 pair of Capri's, and 3 skirts for under $70! They were having great deals, and I had a blast shopping in a "real" mall. The boys and my mom hit the play area for an hour and thoroughly enjoyed themselves!
Well I'm going into the living room to visit. Happy 4th!

Strawberry Fields Forever

Red, ripe, and delicious!

Guarding the strawberries..notice the gun belt!

Two weeks ago...the boys and I went strawberry picking! We went to a local berry farm.

We picked 15 quarts, and the boys had a blast doing it. Isaiah had the evidence of being in a strawberry patch across his backside!! He kept tripping over the watering hoses...and then he would land right on a strawberry...squish! Thank goodness for "Shout"...good as new!! After leaving the berry farm, we went to our local produce auction. I'm not sure what I was thinking, but I bought another 64 quarts! Yes...that's right...79 quarts of strawberries! Hey...my car and house have never smelled better!! Anyhow...with help from Jeremy...we got them all done! It's kind of like the movie "Forrest Gump"(with all the different kinds of shrimp) !!! If you're ever in the area, and in the mood for strawberries...come on by! Hey...you'll get to see me too! :) What a added benefit!!

Crazy Canning Lady!

Yes...I am describing myself! This past week I've been canning like a crazy lady. I processed about 150+ quarts of fruits and meat this past week. It all started with a great deal on peaches at the auction. We have a local produce auction on Tuesday, Thursday, and Fridays. Farmers from all around our area bring all their goods to sell at the auction. The boys love going, especially for the hot dog stand! :) Anyhow, I bought 8 boxes of peaches, 1 box of pears, 2 boxes of onions, and a box of 35 grapefruit! I paid an 1/8 of the cost I would've at the grocery. I had a fun time doing all the canning, even though it was alot of work. I also got a great deal on Italian sausage and chicken this past week...so I tried out my new steam pressure canner! FUN!! :)
When Jeremy came home from work this past Thursday, he said "Oh..a sucker for punishment..huh?"! We both laughed. He's used to the fun and exciting times of canning at our home! I love having the food, especially in the winter season! Anyhow...I'll let you know what I find next!!! :)

Caravan Graduation

Isaiah going along for the ride and of course the picnic food!

I had the privilege of being the 1st grade caravan teacher for our church this year. The program ran from September until the end of May. I had the largest class(21), and the kids where ages 6 and 7. The kids were awesome...one in particular...Jeremiah!! The class worked very hard to complete their 15 badges, which included Physical, Mental, and Spiritual categories. I enjoyed teaching this class so much. The kids were a blessing, and very eager to learn! :)


Jeremiah was in 1st grade Searcher Hunter this year. He completed all his badges, and loved every minute of caravan!

Jeremiah loving his Hunter bandanna...so serious!

Jeremiah receiving his Searcher Hunter certificate, scarf, and all 15 badges...proud mama!

Elijah was in the 2 and 3 year caravan class this year, and he loved his class! He was very excited for Wednesday evening to come!

Mrs. Goss handing Elijah his caravan certificate

Very proud of graduating from caravan

Just as excited about the stick as the certificate

Elijah showing us his certificate

Blessings from above!

I just want to thank God for giving me the 3 best gifts of my life...my boys!! They are so sweet and I just love them more than words can express. I'm so grateful and blessed to have them in my life each day! Just look at those precious little faces...amazing!! They are the most beautiful, amazing gifts I've ever received!!

Me and the boys!

Fun in the sun with my boys!

I just love those smiles!

Everybody say cheez!

How sweet!

So precious!

Another beautiful day in PA!! We went walking to our local campground and pond. Jeremiah rode his scooter, Elijah rode his bike, and Isaiah rode in his stroller. We had a great time together, and enjoyed the warm weather! I'm so proud of my little men!! They are definitely my heart and soul in life!! It's wonderful being their mommy!!!

How Could You Say No?

Thorns on His head spear in His Side

Yet it was a heartache that made Him cry

He gave His life so that you would understand

Is there any way you could say no to this man

If Christ Himself were standing here

Face full of glory and eyes full of tears

And He held out His arms and His nail-printed hands

Is there any way you could say no to this man

How could you look in His tear-stained eyes

Know it's you He's thinking of

Could you tell Him you're not ready to give Him your life

Could you say you don't think you need His love

Jesus is here with His arms open wide

You can see Him with your heart if you'll stop looking with your eyes

He's left it up to you He's done all He can

Is there any way you could say no to this man

Thorns on His head your life is in His hands

Is there any way you could say no to this man

Oh is there any way you could say no to this man

*as made popular by Julie Miller*