Let Him Eat Cake~Carrot That Is..

John's favorite cake is carrot... so that's what I made for him. His real b-day is Oct. 1st (tomorrow), but we have church tomorrow night and I'm leaving for St. Louis Thursday. So it was carrot cake for my sweetie tonight. Happy early birthday!!
Your last day of your twenties babe... Love you!

Birthday Weekend

We went and did the birthday weekend, Branson thing ths weekend. We had a wonderful trip. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. What a nice weekend turned out to be. It was great to get to go celebrate our birthdays and see family. Of course, John got what he wanted; his whoppin 1 lb burger (I still think that is crazy, but it's just once a year). We stayed with my brother and sis-in-law after we left SDC. We miss them. We used to hang out with them all the time when we lived in Springfield (well..Fair Grove really..it was only 15 min from Sgf). It was nice to get to be with them. We even got to see my Aunt Denise and Uncle Ken before we left Saturday. We had a great time!

My New Hobby

Okay, I love to knit!! We had our knitting class/party tonight. I had the best time! It was funny to watch the girls, and myself, learn to knit. I'm making a scarf and it's coming along pretty good. Thanks Rachel for teaching your crazy friends how to knit. You make a great teacher. You had such patience with us. Plus, you are super scrapbooking buddy and now my knitting buddy. See you Tuesday morning to continue the knitting.

In non-knitting news...we are going to Branson tomorrow for our birthday trip. YAHOO!(**Although I'm sure I will be totally knitting on the way :)

Open House at MDO

Tonight was the open house at MDO. We got see all the little art projects that Livy has made. I took at pic of one. It was too precious. Then they had a slide show to show the parents. That was precious too. They have such a great program. I'm so glad we are sending her there.

Today

These are pics of her today wearing the exact same outfit from the pics below. Those pics were taken March of this year. She can still wear those close. Of course at that time I had to roll the waistband of her pants just a little so they would stay up. Hee Hee. She is such a skinny little toot! Now, no rolling required. She is STILL a skinny toot! Those are 12-18 month pants. (she's 20 months or 1 1/2 which ever you prefer)

Looking Back

I was just looking back at all my posts this past year since I've had my blog. It's neat to see how it's all progressed and stuff. I think it has been really fun to see how Livy Grace has grown and changed over this year. Really, it's neat to read. So if you have a blog and haven't done this you should..it's interesting. Plus it's neat to see all the cool things God has done over the past year. My blog is kinda like my journal. Except my family and friends read this. Typically, your friends and family wouldn't read your journal..but anyway...you get the point.

Livy Kiss

Getting ready to go to Mrs. Lily's for the last time!

Love those pig tales!!!!

Mommy is at home with me now! And so began "the at home chick".

Moeckel Mutterings

Livy is asleep. John is at men's bible study tonight so it's just me hang'n out. Since we don't have our favorite Dish channels anymore I watched one of my favorite shows on ABC. I got to tune in to the "Dancing With The Stars" season premier (YAHOO!). We don't watch much network T.V. around here. That's really the only show I keep up with.

In other mutterings we have decided to keep Liv Mother's Day Out one day a week. I can hear Adrienne and Meredith cheer... I have been going back and forth for a while about this. It is so good for Livy to have that interaction with the kids for those 6 hours. Plus, she loves Ms. Yolanda and her friends. Mommy loves her 6 hours too. I got a lot done with my MK business today and some picking up around the house. The rest of the week she will be home with me. Of course!

Thursday, my friend Rachel is having a knitting party at her house. Yes, I said knitting. Really it's a get together so our friends can hang out, eat, and yes knit. Actually I'm pretty excited to learn how to knit a fun scarf. Look forward to it Rachel! I will bring my camera so I can blog the occasion.

Friday we are off to Silver Dollar City for our yearly birthday trip. Oh, and lets not forget FuddRuckers and John's 1lb. birthday burger (good grief!). Actually it's more for John's b-day. His 30th b-day!! He really wanted to go to Branson and play for the day. Then that night we are going to my brother Jason and sis-in-law Buffy's house to spend the night. My Daddy, Momma, little Bro. and Grandma are coming for the day on Sat. So we look forward to seeing them. I haven't saw my G-ma since the 4th of July. Anyway..we are looking forward to the fun!

There's more stuff going on this week. I'm not really gonna blog about it. Too much to type. I've rambled enough already! We have got a crazy week ahead.

Well... I'm gonna wash my face and go to bed! Good night!

Babysitter of the Year

This picture was taken with John's phone, not bad.. Livy is absolutely crazy about Kilee!

Her and Kilee played for quite a while together. Bless her heart she is so careful with Livy. They might as well me sisters. Look at them and their striped shirts. Too cute!

This afternoon our church had the yearly picnic/baptism at Norfork Dam. We had a good turn out. Lots of good food, music, and friends.

A Picnic and Football

Just put Livy to bed so I thought I would do a quick blog about the Sunday school fellowship in the park. Our friend Jason smoked pork in his smoker. So very good! I thought it ranked up there with KT's. Great job Jason! Everyone else brought other sides and dessert. Our S.S. class can cook!

In football, we watched Arkansas play Alabama this afternoon. We lost. But hey it's the first game they lost. We are 2 and 1 for the season so far. We are hoping for a great season.
GO HOGS!

A Childhood Favorite

We made peanut butter fingers this morning for a Sunday school fellowship we are having tonight at the park here in Gassville. These have been a family favorite of mine since I was little. My mom and I used to make these. Today Livy helped me make them (she loved helping pour the dry things in). The tradition continues.

I need just a taste Mom.

Flour face.

Please wipe my hands! (there was drama in how she said that. she hates to be messy!)

Here is the recipe. Peanut butter fingers are super simple to make. Plus pretty darn tasty too. If you love peanut butter and chocolate, then you will LOVE these!

1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1/3 c. peanut butter
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 c. flour
1 c. quick cooking oats (I used old fashion, but whatever you have.)

Topping:
6 oz. of chocolate chips (1/2 bag)
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. peanut butter
2 to 4 tbsp. milk

Cream butter, sugar, and brown sugar. Blend in egg, peanut butter, soda, salt, and vanilla. Stir in oats. Spread in greased 9x13 pan. Bake at 350 for 20-25 min. After baking, sprinkle immediately with chocolate chips. Let stand for 5 min. Spread chocolate chips evenly over top. Then, combine powdered sugar, peanut butter, and milk for topping. Drizzle over top and swirl with the chocolate.

Finished product! YUMMO!

Need Laundry Done?

Livy is good at helping with the laundry if anyone needs help. She said to me this morning, "I helper, I helper!" So if you need her, give me a call and she can come over for a while. She is a great at helping! If you would like to see her work credentials here they are:

In other news, we feel it's time for some more cut backs and reorganization of our life. Funny, that's what this weeks Bible study is about, right girls. It's interesting how God works that stuff out, huh... John and I talked until midnight last night. Yes, I said midnight. We talked about the dreaded six letter word again: budget. Okay......deep breathe.....here goes.......we are getting rid of Dish Network. Sigh.....OUCH!! I will miss my Food Network. I love that channel! John loves the Outdoor channel. We will keep the local channels so we aren't disconnected from the world. But the rest has to go! We are probably going to take Livy out of MDO too. She is just going on Monday, but I hate to that because she loves to so much. Plus it's good for me. However, we knew that when I stayed home sacrifices would have to be made. Momma will have to get creative. If any of you gals or our Mom's have any ideas let us know. Here is my verse for today.

And my God will meet all your NEEDS according to his glorious riches in Christ Jesus.

Phillipians 4:19

That's what we are clinging to. We know that God is good!

A Night At Home

Well...a partial night at home after Team Kid at church. Last night I had a fabulous skincare class at my friend Stephanies. Thanks again Step it was fun! Livy is in bed so we are hang'n out watch'n Fox News. I never thought I would be watching Fox News and enjoying it. What's that all about? We watched Sean Hanity's interview with Sarah Palin. Good interview. Tomorrow night is part two. I'll have John record it. I have Bible study with "the girls".

It is so fun being home. Livy is now picking up on so many words. All day today she said "I'm happy, I'm happy!" She knows the word "family" and she says it often. We have been teaching her that God made families. I wish I had this on video so I can embed it, but I don't. She says "fam-i-ly". It is so precious to hear her say that. Another great video would be her singing "Jesus loves me" with me. She sings the "me" in the song, then we say together "the Bible tells me so". She stresses Bible. Oh...Momma just wants to cry. It's too precious!!! I tear up just typing.

Great times!

Good Stuff!

My sweet friend Meredith got a gift for me when I was pregnant with Livy, a book called "Checklist for Life, for Moms: Timeless Wisdom & Foolproof Strategies for Making the Most of Life's Challenges & Opportunities". I keep it on my nightstand. It's so good! I have used it for almost 2 years and it encourages me so much. Thanks Mere! I just read this and thought this was very appropriate for us "Mommies" or "Mommies-to-be". I felt like I needed to blog this.

Here's a piece of today's thought... It's entitled "Shovel While It's Still Snowing"

Things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement. ~Romans 15:4 NLT

"Since God's word is full of wonderful things, why don't moms spend more time in Bible study? One major reason: kids. Children are experts at Bible study sabotage, whether they mean to be or not. You plop down in a chair, pick up God's Word, start to read, and the baby begins to cry. Later you decide to read a passage of God's Word aloud to your child and learn something together. This time you're interrupted by a wiggly worm who needs to go potty. Your Bible ends up on the coffee table or nightstand buried under the mail or a layer of dust before you pick it up again. Trying to study God's Word with little ones in the house seems as futile as shoveling the sidewalk while it's still snowing."

It' goes on to say that Northerners shovel the snow even when it is snowing. Each time you shovel that is less you will have to shovel later. Plus the exercises make sense. Bible study is a similar principle. It goes on to say.

"Every little piece you can work into your schedule now will result in the closer walk with God, both now and later on too. Here's how to make time. Do it when it is BEST for you; in the morning, during nap times, or in the evening after the kids go to bed. Start with the easy stuff. Try a chapter of Proverbs, matching the chapter number to the date on the calendar. Continue with one chapter from one of the shorter books in the New Testament. (If you need joy, start with Philippians, If you want some daily how-to's, try Colossians.) Using your pen and paper, answer two questions: What does this passage tell me about God? What does this passage say about me? With the moments you have left, copy down one verse that stands out or means something to you in the chapters you've just read. Put the verse where you can see it; by the sink, on the refrigerator. Then finish with pray of thanks.

I don't know about you all but I have to make this a priority! It's hard to find time. If you don't one do this for a couple days, it's okay. Just try again. God's not shaking his finger at you it's about your relationship NOT rules.

Thanks again Mere for the book. It love it!

Have a good day!

Lazy Morning

We are hang'n out this morning. I'm drinking my coffee, of course....Livy is watching Seasame Street. Gotta love PBS. We will need to shut off the TV soon. She is getting that glazed over look in her eyes watching Grover. We will get out and take a walk soon. It is a BEAUTIFUL DAY! I have LOVED keeping the windows open for a change. The air has not been on since Sunday. It is so perfect outside. I wish it could be like this all year long.

The glazed look. It's time for a walk!

This what he normally does. He's a good kitty..

No Power This Morning

That stinks! I hate it when the power goes out!! I woke up at 6a.m. and realized the power was out. We had some crazy strong wind early this morning!! Crazy Ike! Our neighbors that go to church with us called us and said that church was canceled for today. Mtn. Home and the surrounding area was w/o power this morning. Even my parents didn't have power. Kim called me 5:45 this evening and said "hey aren't you coming to church tonight?". I didn't know we were having it. The radio said it was called off all day. I guess Mike decided to have it. Anyhoo...we are at home and hang'n out. We missed being with my church family today. It seems like the week is not the same if we are not with them.

The power came back on at 10 a.m. Yea! We got to take a shower! Double Yea! John decided that we would go eat somewhere for lunch. We went to Coltons to eat. Gotta try the chicken tortilla soup!! Yummo! I had the soup and salad. Then I had to go by jeans. We went Maurices and I bought a couple pair. I have only 1 pair that fits!! I'm losing weight! Triple Yea!

I just went outside to check on John...Holy Cow! It's cool! Checked the temp and its 68 degrees plus there a good breeze, and it's going to get cooler! The windows in our house are wide open! I love it! Feels like fall!

Road Trip!

My friend Kim and I are going on a road trip October 2-4 to see Joyce Meyer in St. Louis at the Edward Jones Dome. Kim's hubby Joe didn't want her to go alone so John agreed to let me go. John is so sweet! We are very excited! Joyce Meyer will be doing some teaching with other guests and HillSong is leading worship. Yoland Adams is doing the special music. YAHOO!

Mess'n Around

I know this is probably a waste of time, but it was fun! I found this feature on slide.com while I was make my slide show for Mommy group. It looked cute so I thought I would try it.

Fabulous Friday

Yesterday morning we had Mommy group at our house. I love those times! The kids played. We ate and laughed. I really need those times and I know the other gals do too. It was a lot of fun. I also have pics on here of when Liv and her Daddy were outside trying to fly a homemade kite. John thought it would be fun to make a kite. He's such a good Daddy! Wasn't any wind (well no yet anyway, storms from Ike are headed this way) but they had fun. We ended the day with homemade pizza and a walk. It was a great day!

The Hotshot

Thanks to John and his phone, he got some video of Kim and I riding the hotshot at the fair. It was crazy fun!

Poor Twix!

Livy was on the bed playing with Twix this morning. Poor Twix. She plays rough with him. We are teaching her to be kind to the kitty. Forgive our un-made bed..

Poor Twix! Luckily he doesn't care. He likes the attention.

A "Fair" Birthday

I had a fun birthday! We went to the fair parade. My friend Kim made me a "lighter chocolate chip cake". The plus was that everything in it was fat-free!! Bless her heart! This was Livy's 1st parade were she was mobile. It was interesting! We showed her how to pick up the candy when it was thrown from the floats. Momma didn't let her have any or keep it, but she loved it! She would scream, laugh, and go crazy everytime someone on a float would through candy out into the crowd. It was so funny! Then we went to the fair and rode rides for a bit. It was a good time!

A Birthday Memory and Traditions

Today, in 1979 at 9:30 am I was born. 29 today! I need to enjoy this last year of my twenties! Since I don't have pics on the computer of when I was little, I was thinking of a birthday memory and I tradition that John and I have done every year of our marriage. We go to Branson and stay the night in a hotel, shop, eat, and do all the fun stuff. These are pics in 2006 on one of our Branson b-day days. I was pregnant with Livy. Hungry all the time and tired. I remember that year well...

John's 30th b-day is in 3 weeks so we will be going for another one of our birthday days in Branson soon. Including John's 1lb. birthday burger. That is insane!! Too much burger for me! But he loves it and does it only 1 time a year (thank the Lord!). I love traditions.

We are doing another tradition today that just happens to be on my birthday. The Baxter County fair begins today and we are taking a picnic to the fair parade this evening. Then we will take Livy to the fair to ride the kiddie rides since she is old enough for that. She loves the rides at SDC! At some point this evening we will have some cake and ice cream.

I love our family traditions! They are even more fun when they are on my birthday!

A New Week!

It's Monday. Sigh... But hey, it's a good day! We started our day with blueberry pancakes. What's not to love about that! John went off to work and Livy went MDO today. It's just Twix and I at home today. It's been interesting having a cat. He is a good kitty. Very calm and loving. He's a great house pet. I never thought I would have an indoor pet, but I suprise myself everyday. Most of you know I like to keep a clean house, so what in the world am I doing with a cat?? As I said I'm surprised! If you keep him brushed he doesn't shed! Plus I'm a good housekeeper so I'm not really worried about it. Livy just loves him. She calls him "ix" "kitty, kitty". John has been surprised too! When I brought him home Sat. John had a deer in headlights look like, "what in the world". But by the end of the day he was like, "he's not a bad cat" Anyhoo enough with Twix.

Friends..what do you think of the new Bible study? I am loving it! However when I read the verses and pray it's like "ouch!" Taming my tounge is definately an "ouch" thing for me! God speaks to me so strongly though His Word. It is truly a conversation. I have been a Christian since I was 8 years old and with every season of my life God reveals himself in neat ways. Anyway, I want to know how it's going for you ladies.

Well I need to get on with my day. I love days when I can be alone. I really do treasure them. I only have 4 hours left. Have a great day yourself!

James 1:19,26 (AMP version)
Let every man be quick to hear [a good listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense and get angry. If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not brile his tounge but deludes his own heart, this person's religious service is worthless (futile, barren).

Your words reveal the truth about your character. (ouch!)

What's Up at the Moeckels!

This morning during breakfast we had biscuits, gravy, eggs, and jelly. The sweet part is that Livy loves jelly. Elizabeth, she loves your blueberry jam!! She would say "more jelly"!!Here's our blue mouthed kid.

The new part of our news is that we have a new family member in our house. I have wanted to get Livy a kitty for a while so I looked on the Baxter county human society web page and checked out a few kitties. Then I decided to take Livy down there. I can't say that John was thrilled but he's okay with it. As I was driving down there I called my friend Kim and told her what I was up to. She said, "I wanna go!" She loves animals. So I turned around (thankfully I wasn't too far out of Gassville) and picked her, Kilee, and Cooper up. Here is our little trip.

The great part is that he when we adopted him he had been neutered, house trained,declawed (on all fours), and had all of his shots up to date! Praise the Lord! We wouldn't had the money to declaw him. I have been thinking about a cat for Livy for a while. Twix just sets around and loves on us. I'm so glad it worked out. Livy is loving Twix!!