It's the Little Things- Scrabble Messages

Sitting on our old piano we have a Scrabble rack along with a jar full of Scrabble letters. I change the message every few days and usually it says something seasonal (HE IS RISEN) or some sort of statement (BLESSED).

Occasionally Madison will change the message. Right before Dory and her family came to Texas in June, I saw Madison standing over at the piano digging through the jar for letters. She said "Don't look!" so I thought she was putting some sort of fabulous message like WELCOME or their last name to welcome Dory's family to our home.

But obviously I had forgotten the silliness and randomness of my adorable 13 year old.

This was the message:

Madison is visiting her dad this week and I miss her like crazy. Each time I pass by that Scrabble rack, I smile thinking of how much I love that silly girl and how blessed I am to have her for a daughter. A little thing that reminds me of a HUGE blessing.

It's the Little Things- Toothbrush Tradition

As I came home last night from a wonderful evening with some sweet friends- both old and new- I was greeted by this sight on the bathroom counter that always makes me smile.

Since the day we were married over 7 years ago, Tony and I have had a toothbrush tradition.

It's simply that whoever gets ready for bed first puts toothpaste on the other's toothbrush.

This may seem like a silly thing to do but is something I absolutely love.

We put the toothpaste on the other's toothbrush first, before our own,

as a reminder to put their needs before our own.

If I'm out late it always seems like a big "I love you" sitting on the counter

and it's something I truly miss when we are apart.

(As an added bonus it's a great way to make sure not to go to bed angry

because it's hard to put toothpaste on a toothbrush when you are mad.

Well, without squeezing it all over the place :) )

go

It's the Little Things

It's so easy to become discontent in today's world. With the economy the way it is, with the unemployment rate sky high, and with money tighter than normal, it's hard to not worry and become anxious about the state of our finances.

But God reminds us in Philippians 4:16 to

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.

So I've decided to work to consciously be happy and content in all that I have.

Because truly, I AM blessed!!

So for the next 30 days I'm going to take and post a picture of something that makes me happy each day. It could be some bargain I've purchased, it could be something I've made, it could be something I have been given, or it could just be something I see that makes me happy. It will just be a reminder to me to be thankful for everything- even the little things that God has blessed me with.

Day 1

This is a picture of what Belle looks like every evening as we eat dinner.

She sits on the bench at our table and lays her head down-

staring intently at each of us as we eat.

It is so stinkin' cute and so stinkin' pitiful!

(Of course this sweet face usually gets some sort of treat from the table before each meal is over! )

Cookie Dough Pie (aka The Easiest Pie EVER)

When I saw this recipe on Big Red Kitchen I thought to myself, no way is that any good, it's way too easy. But on Father's Day I decided to give it a shot and oh my goodness- it is yummy and simple and sinfully good!



You need only 4 simple ingredients:



-a 15.25 ounce package chocolate chip cookies (I used Kroger brand Chips Ahoy type cookies)

-either an 8 ounce or a 12 ounce container of Cool Whip (again, I used the Kroger brand)

-2 cups milk (I used skim b/c it's what I normally buy)

-chocolate syrup



Pour two cups of milk into a bowl. Dunk cookies in the milk, shake off excess milk, and layer in a 9 inch pie plate- breaking cookies to fill any gaps. It is important to leave the cookies in the milk for a bit so they get a little mushy- but not so long that they completely fall apart. You definitely want to make sure to shake off the extra milk so that you don't end up with a big puddle of milk in your pie. Once the first layer is done, cover with a light layer of Cool Whip. Repeat layers twice- making the last layer of Cool Whip thicker to cover all cookies completely. Decorate the top of the pie with chocolate syrup. Place in freezer for 2-3 hours before serving. Set pie on counter to thaw a bit before serving.



This was so simple and yet so yummy- I will absolutely be trying it again soon- with different types of cookies. I think next I'll have to try oatmeal cookies for my sweet daughter who loves them!

Praying for Maggie Lee

My friend Jinny's daughter-Maggie Lee was on a church bus on their way to camp on Sunday morning from Shreveport, Louisiana when the bus had a blowout. The bus flipped three times killing one young man and injuring many others. Maggie Lee received head trauma and was flown to Jackson, Mississippi. She has serious head injuries and has had a lung collapse. She has fluid on her lungs, her heart has stopped once already, her brain is swelling, and she is not stable enough at this time to have the brain surgery she needs to save her life.

Please be in prayer for Maggie Lee and for her parents Jinny and John.

Please pray for their strength, hope, peace, and healing.

Our God CAN do amazing things.

Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

Ephesians 6:13-18

(The Message)