A little party...

Last night~we celebrated Georgia-Kate's birthday. Saturday, we have having our family and a few friends for cake~but we couldn't let her birthday go by without presents and a special treat. We met Mimi (my mom) for lunch. Mimi bought Georgia-Kate some birthday cookies~Sugar with strawberry icing. They are so Good....a family favorite. We had to introduce these special cookies to her. After dinner, the birthday girl opened a few gifts. I can't wait to show ya'll her special outfit and decorations...after Saturday's party!

The cookies.

The Birthday Girl.
Benjamin opening his little gift.

Georgia-Kate gave him stickers and a car.

Opening her presents.

Sweet Girly Shoes.
Love these little socks~I can't wait!

Benjamin's gift to Georgia-Kate.

He and Mimi picked it out at Wal-Mart.

Thanks, Mimi!

She loves it.

Happy Birthday to you, Georgia-Kate~

Georgia-Kate Michael Rogers

Today is Georgia-Kate's 1st Birthday. I adore this little girl. She is sweet...but, also a little sassy. I pray that she will have a heart that longs to really know God. May she always follow her dreams. May we teach her to love others and respect everyone. May she never be afraid to stand up for what she believes. May she work hard and try to do what is right.

Georgia-Kate, I will always love your sweet little face. May I know how to parent you~so that you will be strong in the Lord and grow up to love Him. May I set an example for you to follow: an example of compassion, love, patience, and knowledge of God's word. May I teach you to pray and learn the bible. I will not be a perfect mother...but, I will love you and protect you.

Happy Birthday, baby girl!

2-26-08

7lbs 3 oz & 20 inches

Happy Retirement!

My Dad retired from Wal-Mart, after nearly 30 years. He is now working for a local bank. However, it will seem like a part~time job to him, after he has spent the last 30 years working 80+ hour each week. He began his career as a store manager when I was in Kindergarten. Despite, how anyone feels about feels about the retail Giant, Wal-Mart~has been good to our family. My dad worked hard and sacrificed many things to create a great life for us. We are so proud of him. At his retirement party, several people spoke about his strong character, commitment to his career and his love of others. I was so proud of him...I wanted to shout "And..That great Man is my Dad!" However, I am sure that would not have been entirely appropriate in a room full of 100+ people.

My brother and sister work in Wal-Mart management. Dad has given them a solid example to follow. Yes, I am that one kid that didn't go to work for the company. Well, I did work in the jewelry department for a short time in high school and college...until Dad fired me. He didn't exactly fire me~he was cutting payroll and I was the first to be dismissed. However, he enjoyed telling everyone that he fired me.:)

Above the work ethic and integrity that Dad taught us~He showed my sister, brother and I~how to live for Christ. He is a solid in his faith. He loves the Lord and is steady in his belief. Although Dad is a pillar of strength, he has a tender heart. He cares...truly cares about others. He loves his grandkids. Benjamin, Hailey, and Georgia-Kate are blessed to have him.

What a great man my Dad is!

Happy Retirement, Dad.

The Family:

Allen with Benjamin, Georgia-Kate and I, Mom, Dad, Tracy.

(Front) Todd, Tracie and Hailey.

Dad, visiting with some of the guests.

Benjamin with some balloons.

The cake.

This is the biggest cake~covered a 6 foot table.

Benjamin signing the guest book.

Several of the ladies in the store, made Dad a scrapbook.

Really nice.

Georgia-Kate and I

Best said by Benjamin:

"Papa is going to work at his new bank...so he can play more with me ."

We love you, Dad!

Sandwich Cookies....so GOOD

These are the best cookies....inspired by the Bakerella. I can't take credit for the idea or the recipe. But, they are SO good. Go Here for the recipe. She featured these cookies for Valentine's Day. She used a Red Velvet cake mix. She mentioned that any cake mix would work. I used a chocolate mix. I made a batch for my Dad~he loved them. Of course, he would say that~regardless of how they taste....I promise they are wonderful!

Go over and see the Bakerella~

the 14 layer cake is awesome. You have to see it!

The batter~Yummy!

Th cookies~just out of the oven.


The finished~Cookie Sandwich.

A Great Gift and my "Craft It Forward"

Happy Monday!

Jodee over at Follow the Leaders sent me this Weekly Meal Planner. She had a Giveaway~and everyone was a Winner. No kidding~She sent one to everyone who entered. Isn't she so sweet!?! It will be so helpful! Perhaps, I can actually learn to plan our family meals. Maybe.....

I finished and mailed my "Craft It Forward" Item. I "made" these monogrammed notebooks. (Well, I didn't make the notebooks...I picked them up at Wal-Mart.) I simply covered these notebooks with scrapbook paper and added a few embellishments.

I hope Erica and Brenna love these!

A Giveaway!

The Monogram Chick is having a Giveaway for a momogrammed sippy cup. I love these. Georgia-Kate must have one! So~go over and enter to win. Tell the Momogram that I sent you and we BOTH could win!

YAY!

Go Here to enter!

Just playing with my new camera....

Here are few pictures:

I am so pleased with my new camera.

I probably need a photography class...

but I am having so much fun.

Future Blogger?

Saturday, I was checking in with some of my favorite bloggers~I got up, for a minute...and returned to this: Georgia-Kate had taken over! Of course, I had to take a few pictures.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Wishing you a Wonderful Day!

XOXOXO

My new camera....

I just got a new camera!!

I am so excited.

For Christmas, Allen game me a gift card to buy a new camera. I had been saving my money to purchase one. (I know...I know..he's the best...sorry girls, he doesn't have a brother!) We went out shopping, last Saturday. After stopping at a camera shop, a trip to Chucky Cheese and getting Allen a new phone....we purchased this camera:

The Canon Rebel xsi .

It was on sale and Allen got the manager to give us 10% off the sale price.

I am very excited and a little intimidated.

I hope you enjoy my new and improved pictures!

Word for a Wednesday.

I love quotes. I enjoy reading the inspiring words of others.

I am totally sick with some kind of flu or virus. I don't like being sick...not that anyone does, right?! I don't have time to be sick....the laundry is out of control, the kitchen is a mess and I am so afraid that the kids will catch this nasty sickness. And, it is a rainy stormy day!

I found this quote, today....so, if Helen Keller can have this attitude...I can get through a few days of being sick. Right?!

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved. ~Helen Keller

Today's Funny Conversation

Every Monday~@ 12:30pm...I work out with my trainer, Courtney. I meet Allen at her gym and he spends his lunch hour with the kids. I am not kidding~Allen does this for me~I know, he is the BEST! Anyway, after we left Courtney's, today...We stopped at Sonic...and continued on our way home.

We passed by a two electric trucks and Benjamin noticed them, very quickly. Our good friend, John Worley, works for Carroll Electric~our electric company.

Benjamin and I had the following conversation:
B: Mama, are those John's boys' trucks?
Me: No, those belong to the other company...but, his trucks look like those do.
B: What are they doing?
Me: They are still helping to fix the power after the ice storm.
B: Why do we have power?
Me: Well, I guess...we are blessed. We should be very thankful. (we were only without power about a day...many people in our area were without for many days...even a week or more.)

To my last answer: Benjamin bowed his head in prayer and said: "Dear John Worley...thank you for fixing our power."
(I tried not to let him see me laughing....hysterically!)

John Worley....like Jesus...Maybe?! He did give us~POWER!

Maybe she's born with it....

Lash Stiletto™ Ultimate Length Washable Mascara

I love this new mascara from Maybelline. I don't usually promote products...but is too good to keep to myself. I have spent lots of $ and time looking for great mascara. I really like Laura Mercier cosmetics...it's my new favorite brand. I really like the mascara...but when I ran out...I picked up the Maybelline Lash Stiletto at Wal-Mart. It's great. If you are in the need of new mascara...check it out.

The Letter T....

Coco over at Ordinary Miracles is hosting a game, which was passed by another blogger. Go here to check out Coco's Blog.

I decided to play along....

So, the game is: you are assigned a letter and then have to list 10 things you love that start with that letter. Coco assigned me the letter~T.

SO...here is goes:

1. Todd, my brother and Tracy, my sister. I am blessed to have them. I know...why does my name start with M?!

2. Tea~iced and hot.

3. Tulips~a beautiful sign of Spring and renewal.

4. Traveling~I love to travel. I love to pack. I love to fly.

5. Tropical Places. I love the sun and the beach.

6. Time...spent with friends and my family.

7. Thanksgiving Day....mostly because it is a day filled with dessert. And...it's a great time to spend with family.

8. Treasures~I love to find a treasure at a flea market or at an auction.

9. Television~yes....it's true. I love reality TV, the Food Network and HGTV.

10. Tan~I love to be tan...I love all things summer and in the sun.

So, come on and play....leave a comment and I will assign a letter to you. I promise...no Xs or Zs.

Craft it Forward....Come on and Play!

I am so excited! Anna Sophia over at Our Daily Chocolate has *started* a great giveaway!

Here's what it's all about:

If you want to win a handmade ♥GIFT♥ from me. Be one of the first 3 bloggers to leave a comment on this post, which entitles you to a handmade item from me. Winners must post this giveaway on your blog, meaning that you will {Craft it Forward} too, creating a handmade gift for the first three bloggers who leave a comment on YOUR post about this giveaway! The gift that you send can be any price range and you have 30 days to make and ship your item(s).Now do you see why I thought this idea was genius? How fun is this gonna be? Remember, it’s the spirit and the thought that count! When you receive your gift, please blog about it! If you are not one of the Top Three to comment on this post, you can still play along. Please start your own {Craft it Forward} chain, and encourage your blogging friends to do the same.

I love this idea~I'm not totally sure what I will craft. But I think you will like it!

Go Ahead...Leave a comment!

Scripture Memory # 3

As part of the LPM Blog scripture memory Challenge~I have chosen Psalm 139:1-4. Perhaps, if I commit these verses to memory, I will watch what comes out of my mouth....

"O Lord, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. Your discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all of my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O Lord."

Psalm 139:1-4 NIV

A Fun Snow!

Benjamin and JP had a blast in the snow. They are best friends. We borrowed a sled. Despite the cold weather and the messy roads...we are having a great time. Ricky, Megan and JP are staying with us while their power out. We are thankful for good friends!

Here are few pics that Megan snapped while

Benjamin and JP enjoyed the snow: