Chocopots are FANTASTIC =)

Garage Sail Find!

This is the before picture. I'll post the after
when I finish painting it! I'll try to paint
it today =)

I actually did not go "garage sailing" but on the way back from an erand this morning, I saw a huge garage sail. I only had $3.00 in my purse. But I thought it might be worth a go :). I found a nice white lamp for $1.00 and a pretty wood stand/cubbard for $2.00! Ha! Just enough in my purse! I am going to paint this pretty wood stand/cubbard white! I'll be back later to show you the after! =)

Irving Berlin

Probably the most famous and most important songwriter of the twentieth century, Irving Berlin was active in the music industry for almost sixty years. He wrote over a thousand songs, including some of the most famous and successful numbers of all-time, such as ''White Christmas'' and ''God Bless America.''

Born in a poor Russian Jewish ghetto, Berlin's parents immigrated to America when he was five, settling in New York's Lower East Side. As a young boy he sang on the streets for pennies to help support his family after his father died. Though he couldn't read music he taught himself enough piano to began writing songs. He sold his first number, ''Marie of Sunny Italy,'' in 1907. In 1911 he had his first big hit with ''Alexander's Ragtime Band.'' Two years later he married his first wife, who died soon after from typhoid she had contracted on their honeymoon. He married again in 1926, and the couple remained together until her death in 1988.

In 1919 Berlin formed his own music publishing company, still in existance today. He also co-founded ASCAP. Over the years Berlin wrote dozens of plays and films. His song ''Blue Skies'' was featured in the first talkie, The Jazz Singer. He retired from Hollywood in 1957 and from Broadway in 1962.

Berlin dedicated his life to his work, not having any hobbies or past-times. Never learning to read or play music he used a special piano to help him compose. Berlin was also well-known for his patriotism and charity. He supported the war effort during both World Wars and established several foundations in his lifetime. He signed over all royalties from his song ''God Bless America'' to the Boy Scouts.

Its getting warmer! =)

Well, it is starting to feel like summer here already! I don't know if that is good or bad? =) Good for everyone with cold climate, but bad for everyone here! =) But this year I am looking forward to going swimming in our pool! And of course it also means its time to start shopping for summer clothes!!! He he he ;=)

Lisa's Recipe MMMM Good!

Happy Easter everyone!
I used Lisa's carrot cake recipe and it was wonderful! Ruthie helped me decorate it and it looks lovely, dont you think? We all had a piece on Saturday night with a big glass of milk =)

One of Our Days at the Zoo

Here are some pictures of the kids I look after. They are so cute huh? I finally remembered to bring my camera that day =) I have such a bad habit of forgetting my camera on such outings! We have done so many fun things and I always forget to bring it. Since I share so much about these kids, its about time I show you all what they look like! =) Aamena is the oldest she is 8, Sam is 6 and Saffiya will be 3 in June. When I first started working, Saffiya was only 18 months! Its been so nice to be apart of their lives.

Happy Birthday Robert!

Today is Bobby's 17th Birthday! We all celebrated it last night. We played put put golf the batting cages, and the go carts. The go carts were the best! Benjamin of course beat everyone. But I passed him once! I take great pride in that :) It was fun doing something like that together. I think the boys had the most fun, getting to speed and running into each other (even though we weren't allowed to bump) we will all have to do that again! Then we drove home, and tried to abide by the law and not bump the car in front of us! he he he!!!! We had ribs, okra, salad and french bread. Benjamin cooks those ribs so WELL! The meat just fell right off. It was a fun birthday. I think Bobby had a lot of fun as well =) ( I should hope!)

What A Laugh!!!!

Does anyone need a laugh? This is so cute! :)

Sam O Man =)

Sam is my little man. He has just turned into the sweetest guy. When I first met Sam a year and half ago, I had very different thoughts. But as time has gone on we have become really close. After the first nine months of DISCIPLINE, he has turned into a sweetheart! He loves to play with me and listen to stories. He has developed a great sense of humor and also FINALLY a willingness to do good. He loves schedules and routines and MUST have me read to them all during snack time! :) He loves to see me read my Bible and calls it "the Holy Bible".  Anyways, I am loving watching Sam turn into an honest open minded little boy. :) Its really nice to see him grow! :) I know God has something planned for these smart little kids. I can't wait to see what happens next! 

Busy!!!!!

Sorry I have been gone for awhile! We have been super duper busy! 

To start off, one of our old klunkers finally gave way; and we have been shopping for a new car. Whew! That can be work, but thankfully we have a located (thankfully because they are hard to find in Phoenix), a 2003 Honda Civic Hybrid. No one wants to part with their car, obviously =) ! But we are so thankful to have a reliable car, Yeah!!!!!

Second.... this week is spring break for my kids I look after. We have been pic nicking, going to the zoo, reading lots of books from the library and making yummy chocolate covered bananas and pretzels with chocolate chips. As most of you know, taking care of kids can tucker you out!

=)

Delightful!

Pure delightful! I have just returned home yesterday. And it was so nice to have some time with Benjamin. Not to have any worries or cares was pure medicine!

Thank you all for your sweet good bye notes! This was my first time in San Diago, and I thoroughly enjoyed it! Davene, I can see why you loved living there!

I have to tell you all a little secret, not only did we go to San Diago, but we also went on a cruise! We left San Diago's harbor and headed to Cabo San Lucas. We got such an amazing deal....... $200 a person!!!! Four nights.....food and everything! It was a carnival ship. It was one of those last minute sales!!! So I didn't actually stay in San Diago :) I feel so full right now! Not only that, but lazy too! The food was very tasty! It is a really good idea to take a cruise while you are pregnant! Everything you might be craving is just a little walk away :) he he he he! Here are a few pictures.... Oh yeah, we went snorkeling in Cabo San Lucas.......not a very good idea in winter!!!! Oh my WORD! It was so COLD! :) I will never forget that temperature! 

The day we were leaving San Diago back to Scottsdale, we found out that Nathan my brother happened to be in San Diago as well! He was there for work! That was very humerus.....what a small world we live in! So we met up with him for a couple of hours =) 

                         At an evening show on our ship :)
                          A beautiful view from our ship
                    Just before we felt that cold water! :)

Auf Wiedersehen!!!! (Good Bye)

Good bye for a little while everyone! I will  be back the end of next week. The Mr. and I will be in San Diego! I am going to get a lovely tan and have a nice little break from work :)  Its grand, whenever my family (the family I work for) go away, I get to have a vacation too! 

Hosanna..........

You must listen to this beautiful song. The words are so powerful. Trust me, this wont be the last time you listen to this song.......... :)

Heal my heart and make it clean.... Open up my eyes to the things unseen....... Show me how to love like you have loved me...... break my heart for what breaks yours........ Everything I am for your kingdom's cause....... As I walk from earth into Eternity.

Happy Valentines Day!!!

I had a lovely Valentines Day this year! (I say that every year...... :)

I gave my kids (the kids I look after) a fun Valentine tea party. I made bunt cakes with Nuetella as frosting and a lot with pink frosting. I was very shaky when I frosted them, so they look really dorky, but they still tasted really good! It was very yummy! Here are a couple of pictures. Sorry they aren't very good, because I had to use my computer, I left my camera at home =(.

Vinnie Part four....

I think this will be the final clipping of our series, Life with Father =( I am sad to end it.........  :) Now you must go and rent it and watch it all the way through! Enjoy! (Make sure you watched 1, 2, and 3, of my series before you watch the final!)

Vinnie Part Three......

If you have been watching here is part three of my video's with Life With Father. If you haven't seen any of the previous video's yet, I recommend you scroll down and watch the first ones :)

Sunny.........

....... and breezy is the forecast.

Today 72 was the high. It is so beautiful out. I am getting excited to go swimming in our pool this summer! 

Ruthie and I went garage sailing this morning and while we were out looking we found a beautiful outside swing. It has a cover and its still in really good condition. The people who were selling it hardly ever used it and kept it in nice condition. 

So I am outside enjoying the lovely weather today! =) (trying to get a tan!)

My sympathies go out to everyone who is tired of the snow! Be encouraged spring is on the way!

Vinnie Part Two!

Here is part two to Life with Father. Vinnie is so funny! More to come later :)

Vinnie.......

Life with Father.......

It has to be one of my FAVORITE movies. I love all of the characters. If you haven't seen it; you must! Here is a very short clip of it just to give you a taste :)

More to come later!

Fertile Crescent.........

I have been reading a book called "The Conquest of Civilization" By James Henry Breasted. Its an older book and very interesting. The author is well known for his excellent chapter on Egypt. I am still currently reading it; and I am on Western Asia: Babyonia. Its talking about the very beginning (of civilization). I have also been reading and studying the Bible at the same time. So much history is happening! It is so amazing to learn all of this! I learned a lot of this in school, but not this detailed...... I also think it is very important to know your geography and history when studying the Bible. This did happen...........! And we didn't just magically acquire the Bible! People lived and breathed in whole different time! I love history!!!!!!!  :)