Birthday Cake Update

After going to Publix today to see if they did have a free one-year-old cake I wasn't too surprised that I need to purchase a full size cake first. 

So, scratch that idea! 

I am now excited over the thought of making a cake for Winston. I not going to do some serious decorating. I just want to do a little mini chocolate cake with fresh whip cream that is slightly sweetened. I'm sorta glad that the Publix cake didn't work out ;P

We are still contemplating what to buy Winnie for a present. And I think we have decided on getting him a Teddy Bear. I am hoping to find one that is Winston's size. Something for him to squeeze and hold. He loves, loves, LOVES to squeeze the cat. Hopefully this will help!

I am sure the cat will be thankful!

Our close friend Roxy told me the other day that she had found out what the name Winnie means. We often call Winston Winnie and she happened to hear the meaning of it. She told me it means peace maker and bringer of peace. 

He is my little peace! His gentle spirit and nature has filled me till my heart is bursting with love. 

Thank your Roxy, we love you!

Glorious Rain and God's Glory

~Picture google images~

The sound of steady rain falling in the morning when I woke up was wonderful! When I was little, it was my dream to see the rain fall all day instead of for just a few minutes. It looks like my dream came true so far! Its still coming down! 

I am excited about Winston's birthday coming up. We invited our friends the Porters to come over and celebrate with us. Benjamin is going to cook his famous Brisket. I had dreamed of making the perfect birthday cake, but I decided to go along with my friends suggestion of going to Publix and getting a free one year old birthday cake that they decorate personally for you! I am not even sure Winston will eat from it! I am hoping for him to sink his chubby little hands in it though!

:D

I started a new Bible study last week with our church. Its called Apples of Gold. I am so excited about it! 

It is really nice to go away meet new ladies and fellowship. And then share in our Bible study of His goodness.
  Then to come home and walk through our door and see Winston's face light up when he sees me, squealing loudly! Now I know how Benjamin feels when he gets home from work!

I wish you could here the sound of the rain falling right now! I think a cup of tea is now in order to celebrate the rain and the day! :)

Here is a short worship song that I heard off of Benjamin's Pandora worship station the other day. I heard it playing and loved it! So I searched for it on Youtube and here it is! I love it because I have been reading and dwelling on God's glory. The brightness and peace of His glory is so beautiful and peaceful.

  Make sure you scroll to the bottom to turn off the music.

Happy Tuesday!

Here are some pictures of our relaxed evening together the other night. I enjoy it so much when Benjamin cooks! While he was busy cooking, I got to play with the camera!

 I am still trying to figure this camera out. At night pictures tend to be more fuzzy. I am forcing myself to learn how to use it without using the automatic setting as well as the flash.

So here are some of the good photos that I got! Some are better then others ;P

He wanted to be out there helping and watching!

 

It was hard for him to take his eyes off of daddy.

Look at those delightful chunky legs!

This is a normal pose of Winston. He is always hanging out with the cats and playing with the blanket.

A simple meal of asparagus, steak and potatoes.

My picture of the potatoes was pretty fuzzy, so that is why you don't see them, but they were so yummy!

Winston playing with celery for the first time.

He loved it, but I had to take it away from him after he started taking bites out of it. He is still figuring out solids and can't get passed the swallowing part. I hope he will be ready to dig into his birthday cake in few weeks! 

A happy and blessed Monday to all of you!

Psalm 23

   1 The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 

  He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters,  

 He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. 

Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.   

You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 

Surely Your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Catching Up

Happy Tuesday!

I have fallen way behind on my blogging lately. 

I had made two attempts to post, but my plans were thwarted because my computer has had something against my camera :P

The computer decided to leave his personal opinion in the past and now I am uploading around 700 pictures lol! Thanks to Benjamin my camera has a huge memory card! 

January has been refreshing and accomplishing so far. Cars and computers are 90% working again and just waiting on our registration from Arizona so we can drive our new (older) car! We are so thankful that we could still register our vehicles in Arizona (due to the military) because Florida is pretty pricey! 

Winston is over eleven months now. Only a few more weeks and we will be celebrating his one year birthday! 

I am excited to pose Winston for his one year pictures. I need a little of my sister's creativity :) 

Last week I checked the Goodwill and I am so glad I did! I found a nice wooden high chair for the little guy. He is so cute sitting in it and playing with whatever we put on the tray for him.

I have nursed him constant this whole year and we are just now giving him little things to taste and try. It is so much fun feeding him and watching his expressions.

We bought a juicer this month as well and I am in LOVE! I have been juicing up everything! Maybe I'll post some recipes of what we have been juicing. I'm loving carrots and apples right now. 

My second favorite holiday is just around the corner! Valentines Day!!

I need to begin thinking of how to celebrate it. With Valentines, our anniversary my Mom's birthday and now Winston's birthday, its a lot of celebrating! 

 Since our anniversary is so close to Valentines we may just combine them :)

Here are a few pictures from the 700 that uploaded successfully on my computer :)

His new highchair! 

 

 Its a little beat up and scratched on the front, but nothing a little scratch free dusting spray can't take care of, thanks Mom for the suggestion!

Mounds of fruit! I didn't even capture all the carrots, celery and beats in the fridge!

Dressed up in daddy's uniform ;D A present from Grammy and Grandpa.

I made some Vanilla Bean Sugar as little gifts for many of our local friends here.

I ordered some vanilla beans online (which was much cheaper) and had fun putting these little presents together.

They can use the sugar for tea or coffee, the sugar will have a nice aroma of vanilla in it.

This idea was from Nigella's Chirstmas book

;)

You cut open the vanilla bean to expose the meat inside and then cut

the bean into smaller portions.

Then place a stick or two in the jar and cover with sugar.

The sugar needs to sit in with the vanilla bean for at least a week.

Winston's first Christmas. 

Here he is on Christmas Eve.

Right before we opened up a package from Grandpa and Grammy.

Which were some homemade jammies for baby. They are so cute!

I also had some yummy homemade Creme Brulee waiting to be devoured. I used some of the leftover vanilla bean and oh my was it amazing!

The most recent shot of Winnie. 

In his Sunday clothes right after church.

Happy January everyone and many blessings for this New Year!

Ezra Wyatt Marius

Sorry for keeping everyone hanging!

Little Ezra was born on December 31st weighing 8 lb 11 oz 21 1/2 inches long.

Marie had a long labor, but is recovering well. We were all hoping this one would be short and easy. 

Ha!

Next time around I am going to tell myself that it is going to be a VERY LONG labor so if its short and sweet I'll be delightedly surprised and if not, I will have been prepared :D

No pictures yet, hopefully soon! I did get to see him on skype and boy is he a CUTIE!

Thanks Lisa for your sweet comments :)