Large Family Challenge of the Day :P

The challenge for Sarah and I today was to figure out how to distribute 9 young children between the two of us at Dairy Queen without attracting undue attention.

All nine were thirteen and under.

The majority were 7 and under.

To be precise, we had a 13 year old, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, and two 4 year olds. :D

They were all from either our immediate family, or the Walkers.

They all needed a watchful eye. ;) The answer?

"Um....Sarah....you take four, I'll take five."

Sorry to disappoint you, D.Q., but we *aren't* the Duggars. ;)

We divvied `em up and trooped into Dairy Queen and actually got everyone seated, and waiting fairly quietly for their ice-cream with very little incident beyond Benj jumping up to catch a stink bug, Bekah pointing and yelling at a lady in the parking lot, a rather earnest game of "Rock, Paper, Scissors", and a short rodeo of chair-rearranging. :P

Of course, taking the 7, 6, and 4 year old gals to the bathroom was an adventure. They were fascinated by the motion-sensor-paper-towel-dispenser thingy. Abby let 5 feet of it run before she found out how to rip it off! :P

But over all it was a lot of fun, and a success. We didn't leave anyone behind....or did we? ;)

And you know what game Sarah and I got everyone to play on the way home? "Silent Mouse". We are rather clever, aren't we? ;)

Where is the wisdom in Wisdom Teeth?

Yep. That's my question today. Okay. So I knew somehow that this dentist appointment today was not a good idea.

I knew they would somehow incriminate me. But what reason have I for dreading the dentist?

Never had a cavity in my life. (Up to now) Had braces already....no bad news there. I even have room for all my wisdom teeth, unlike Sarah, right? Uh.....wrong. *sigh*.

So we two are in for it. In the next month or month and a half, we will be lighter by four teeth each. We are having surgery to get our wisdom teeth out. And um....the bad news isn't over.

Ahem.

One of mine is impacted. :P It's growing in side-ways, and they'll have to drill a hole in the bone to fish it out. Oh joy. "Fol-de-rol, bon-hommy, gathering nuts in May." as Eeyore would say.

And the hygienist didn't even say it nicely to me. (Although she complimented my gardening tan. :P)

She made it sound a most criminal offense to not have room for one's wisdom teeth: "Please evaluate 1, 16, 17, and 32 for EXTRACTION"! :[

There I am! Cart me off to jail! I have need of an extraction. Oh boy. Well, at least we're in this together, right, Sarah? *She gives me a weak smile in reply*

Look Who's Comin' to Town! :)

I am extremely, extremely excited! :) You know why? I bet you can't guess....

No, it's not because I have a dentist appointment at 11:00 tomorrow morning....(I dread it like the plague...)(♫ I've been to the dentist a thousand times so I know the drill....
I smooth my hair, sit back in the chair, and somehow, I still get a chill!♫" ;)

No, it's because this gorgeous gal is going to be here on Friday!! :)
(Um....not the cat- the other one! :D)

Here is Marybelle in all her glory! ;)

And because she is the caretaker of two young boys and we thought it would be nice to extend the invitation to those fellows....HE is coming.


I understand he can be a handful....you can't leave him alone with chocolate covered pomegranate balls for a minute or else....he does THIS :P
We are also trying to convince this character to come.....

But I've heard he prefers sitting at home and smouldering... ;)
Can't wait to see you guys! ~Rachel
P.s. All pictures, save the dentist, are courtesy of Marybelle :)

We Want Your Vote! :)

I put up some new polls on the sidebar, so please take a look at them and vote! :) ~Rachel

Who I am in God's Eyes Series: Week 10

Who I am in God's Eyes Week 10

I am...............

Cared for by Him!!!!!!!!

(Psalm 103:13)

I hope everyone had a blessed Easter! :)

-Sarah

Before the Throne of God Above by Selah

Here are the lyrics to this beautiful song. Have a blessed Easter!

Before the throne of God above
I have a strong, a perfect plea:
A great High Priest, whose name is Love,
Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on his hands,
My name is written on his heart;
I know that while in heaven he stands
No tongue can bid me thence depart
No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair,
And tells me of the guilt within,
Upward I look, and see him there
Who made an end of all my sin.

Because a sinless Savior died,
My sinful soul is counted free;
For God, the Just, is satisfied
To look on Him and pardon me
To look on Him and pardon me

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Praise the One,
Risen Son of God!

Behold him there, the risen Lamb
My perfect, spotless righteousness,
The great unchangeable I am,
The King of glory and of grace!

One in himself, I cannot die
My soul is purchased by his blood
My life is hid with Christ on high,
With Christ, my Savior and my God
With Christ, my Savior and my God

Hot Cross Buns! :)

"Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
One a penny, two a penny
Hot cross buns!
If you have no daughters
Give them to your sons.
One a penny, two a penny
Hot cross buns!"

Gracie and I made Hot Cross Buns today! :) I read that they were a traditional Good Friday treat, and so I made them today....on Saturday. :P You can read about their history HERE. It's really quite interesting! :) The recipe I used is below....
Buns:
7 cups all purpose flour
2/3 cup sugar
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. each of nutmeg and cloves
pinch of salt
1 cup chopped raisins, craisins, currants, etc.
2/3 c. diced, candied orange peel (I just peeled two oranges, diced up the peel, and tossed it in sugar, since I didn't have real candied peel)
2 eggs
7 tablespoons butter melted
4 1/2 tsp. yeast
1 1/2 c. milk, warmed

Crosses:
4 tablespoons cold butter
1 cup flour
Cold water

Step One: Mix together flour, sugar, spices, salt, raisins, and orange peel.
Step Two: Make a well in the center and add melted butter and the eggs. Mix well
Step Three: Mix yeast in the milk with a pinch of sugar and proof a couple of minutes, then add to flour mixture.
Step Four: Form 2 dozen buns from the dough, and put on cookie sheets.
Step Five: With hands squish butter into flour until crumbly, add water to make a pie-crust-like dough. Roll out into strips and lay on top of buns in cross shape.
Step Six: Cover and let rise 30 minutes while you preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Step Seven: When baked, bring out of oven and while warm, brush on a glaze of milk and powdered sugar boiled together until sugar is dissolved.
Enjoy these scone-like buns! :)

Good Friday!!!! =)

"But HE was pierced

for our transgressions,

He was crushed for our

INIQUITES;

the PUNISHMENT

that

brought us peace was on Him,

and by HIS wounds

we are healed."

Remember what He has done for us all this Easter weekend!

-Sarah

Dale Evans- The Sweetheart of the West

I love the old Roy Rogers movies! Not only because Roy Rogers is far above and beyond any other cowboy in talent, character, wit, etc. but because of his beautiful wife, Dale Evans, who played in many of his movies as the leading lady! :) and because of Roy's songs with The songs of the Pioneers, and because Gabby Hayes always plays as the funny, wise old man. And of course, because as these films were made in the forties and fifties, the costumes are amazing! :)

Roy and Dale in Lights of Old Santa Fe- Isn't her hair so cute? The dress she is wearing is absolutely adorable! I'd love to have it, and to have the waist to match :P

I love her costume and hair in this scene. :)

Publicity shots....she is *so* photogenic :P

A well-known look on Dale's face....

Dale target-shooting in The Heldorado...


Awwwww <3 :)