Aside from how amusing the items sometimes were to their Daddy and I, (i.e., Nutella and Pop Tarts--LOL) it was so interesting and touching to see how many little things for which our little loves are grateful. Equally interesting, was the fact that once they began to think about being thankful, they couldn't seem to stop thinking of things for which they are grateful.

Some time ago, I had intended to record my "Thankful Pictures" (in words) here on the blog, as a record to remember. As the "To Do" list became unwieldy and the hours of sleep became few, that intention slipped from my mind. It was good to be reminded of it again, as I often find that in my life, it can be so encouraging to recount the Lord's blessings--even in times of sadness or discouragement. So, I'll give it another try. :)

I am reminded also of an old hymn from my childhood...

Count Your Blessings by Johnson Oatman, Jr., 1897

"When upon life’s billows you are tempest-tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

* Refrain:
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
Count your blessings, see what God hath done!
Count your blessings, name them one by one,
*Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, every doubt will fly,
And you will keep singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings—wealth can never buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high."

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1. Grandparents and the richness they bring to our lives, when they give of themselves and share in our lives. Particularly, thirty-five wonderful years of knowing my Gram and having the privilege of spending so much time with her.
2. The hope found in knowing I will see her again one day in heaven, through Jesus' sacrifice--though we are sinners, Christ died for us.
3. God's Word, from which all meaning and purpose and comfort come.
4. Family members and friends whose love is demonstrated in action, not merely in word.
**************************************************************************************************

Today, I watch while he spells words and comforts his sister.

Tomorrow, I will try to slow the moments, and drink more deeply of the remaining time I have to train him, love him, and enjoy him as my little boy.

The yesterdays are gone forever.

I know that every moment is so precious...so fleeting...so important that I should never tire of filling each with all the love, and purpose, and Truth that I can.

And I know I have been given a great, undeserved gift.

Thank you, Father, for entrusting this amazing child to us these past five years.

Thank You for my Liam, on his fifth birthday...and for the grace to raise him in Your nurture and admonition.

My cup overflows.

Every good endowment and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17

On Friday, Bruno, our new yellow labrador puppy came home to live with us! :) We are delighted with him and are going through the "adjustment period" of working on house-training, crate-training, and adding his care and needs into our already full schedule!

1 can Campbell's Reduced Salt Tomato soup
basil--fresh or dried

Prepare with water as directed, but add fresh or dried basil to taste, prior to heating through.

1-2 baguettes
shredded cheddar cheese
dijon mustard
garlic clove or garlic powder

Slice baguette lengthwise. If using a fresh clove of garlic, cut clove and rub on cut sides of bread. Spread on desired amount of dijon mustard. (If using garlic powder, sprinkle on top of mustard.) Top bread halves with cheddar cheese and toast in 350 degree oven until cheese is melted.

We like to inhale dill pickles along with this meal and add in veggie sticks/applesauce/apples slices, whatever we have around for the day.

Mmmmm...enjoy!

Aine: "So you can fix it, Momma!

And herein lies the reason I am NEVER bored and NEVER suffer from a lack of tasks to attend to!

Fine motor skills--check!

Author Unknown
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

A couple of weeks ago we learned that it is a new little BOY whose arrival we await in late February/early March. Most importantly, we were told that development looked good on our scan at twenty weeks. Liam and Aine were like two little angels during the scan and were consequently allowed to stay for the duration. :) They are VERY excited about their new little brother. They spend a great deal of time talking to him, kissing and hugging him, and planning for what they will do with him after he arrives. I believe our new little boy's social schedule will be fully booked for some time. ;)

Our dear little Aine has quite a fever today, so many of my plans for the day will be "adjusted" to accommodate her needs. It is certainly the time of year for sickness, and with the Swine Flu concern, we are trying to get as much sleep and healthful foods as possible, along with our vitamin supplements.

At long last, we are making plans for a puppy, so researching this and locating appropriate candidates for us to visit has occupied much of our time lately. We are all looking forward to this other new addition to our family and are hoping to find the right one soon, to allow ample time for adjustment and house training prior to the birth of our second son in late Winter.

This is all for now--hope all are well!

From The Word of God
The Book of Habakkuk
Third Chapter
Seventeenth, Eighteenth, and Nineteenth Verses

Combine cherries, flours, baking powder, and soda in bowl. Combine sugar, egg, buttermilk, butter, and extracts in separate bowl. Combine wet and dry ingredients until blended and spoon into greased muffin tins. Before baking, sprinkle final Tbsp of sugar evenly over twelve muffins. Bake in preheated 375 degree oven for twenty minutes or until brown.

Yields one dozen muffins.

Serving Suggestion: Serve for breakfast with yogurt.

A FEW NOTES ON THIS RECIPE:

I originally tried this recipe with lemon flavoring and decided that I really don't care for lemon flavored baked goods much anymore, so I went with almond--an excellent pairing with cherries. :) If you like lemon, substitute lemon extract for the almond variety and add a bit of lemon zest. It is great if you like lemon.

These are intended to be HEALTHY muffins and to provide between 4 and 5 grams of protein per muffin. If you're looking for the type of muffins made entirely with refined white flour to be eaten as a dessert/treat, you may well find the texture a tad on the grainy side (due to part whole-wheat flour) and may find them not sweet enough if you're expecting them to be more like a cup cake.

(I find them sweet enough, but I generally cut the sugar down in recipes, finding many of them too sweet--like a cake. I happen to really LIKE the texture created by refined white flour, but like to do a mix with whole wheat to create a breakfast treat that I can feel good about feeding to my children. I am told that if you can find whole wheat PASTRY flour, it allows the texture to remain much more like refined flour. I, at the present time, I have no access to such a delightful-sounding flour.)

One-third of the flour in this recipe is soy flour--making the muffins MUCH higher in protein than if you used entirely standard wheat flour. The soy flour will also enhance the browning of the bread, however, the already short baking time required for muffins should prevent them from browning before the muffins are fully cooked. If you attempt to bake this batter in bread pans instead, you may need to lower the baking temperature some or shorten the baking time. Mine were perfectly brown when perfectly done, but everyone's ovens vary!

Let me know if anyone tries these!