I’m not sure what came over me at my preschooler’s screening assessment this morning. I’m not sure if it’s how much older she suddenly looked to me, the fact that complete strangers were asking her question after question, or if I was just proud of how well she behaved and responded. I was just so…emotional. She was like a different child. Poised, polite and 100% confident. So confident, in fact, that when she was asked questions I knew were beyond her ability, she would give a quick, self-assured answer anyways. When asked “Can you count backwards from 10?,” she calmly responded, “Yes. 80.”

I couldn’t contain myself. I started to laugh and tears welled up in my eyes. The gentleman across the table administering the test avoided eye contact with me, for fear he would start busting up, …

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Friends, I’m a little ashamed that I’m even calling this a recipe. It’s basically a glorified s’more. It’s got four ingredients, and all you need is a microwave to make it happen. Super easy. But sometimes, that’s just what we want. And with two little ones under foot, it makes things much easier on momma. Oh, and did I mention these taste AMAZING? Seriously, so good. You could do many variations, including dipping in white chocolate instead of stacking, or switching up marshmallow flavors. They travel well, too, so they’re great to take to potlucks or social events (I’m taking mine to Bible study tonight). Enjoy!

Four ingredients:

Ritz Crackers

Pumpkin Spice Marshmallows (found mine at WalMart)

White Chocolate Chips

Cinnamon

 

Four simple ingredients, many on sale during the holidays!
Melt white chocolate chips in a …

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There’s Tracy in the middle, and my “EE” friend Tracee on the right. 🙂

 

While everyone’s hoopin’ and hollerin’ about it being 12-12-12, I fear that an important day is being overlooked, my friend Tracy’s birthday. However, Tracy is probably thrilled people aren’t paying attention to her, and is going to turn 50 shades of red (embarrassment) when she sees this post. But, I also know she’ll forgive me, which is one reason why I love her. I’m blessed to know several Tracy’s in my life, and they’re all spelled differently. There’s Tracee, Traci, and Tracy (and probably a Tracey) in there somewhere. 🙂

But this is my “with a Y” friend Tracy. We’ve known each other for many, many years, but didn’t really become friends until we started attending the same Bible study …

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This is what it’s all about. The joy of gingerbread magic! And I can’t make the toddler stay still enough for a non-fuzzy picture.

When I was nine or so, I happened upon a booth at our local Fall Festival, one that displayed delicious, artistic Gingerbread houses. I was mesmerized. Miss Paula, the master gingerbread architect, was a familiar face seen at my church, my school, and even taking our softball team pictures in the summer. So, I felt completely comfortable asking (begging) her to puh-lease make a gingerbread house with me some day. And being the generous person she is, she agreed. So, from then on, it was our little inside story, and every time we saw each other, we’d talk about making a house someday. But we never did. The years went …

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This season, it’s important to remember not only to give back to your family and friends, but to find it in your heart to give to the community. To reach out to those you don’t know, and possibly change their lives forever. During the month of December, I’ll be highlighting a few causes that are near and dear to my heart, in hopes that you or someone you know will be inspired to support them with your time, talents or treasures.

For this first post, I’m thrilled to feature Jennifer White and ICT S.O.S., one mom and one mission to end human trafficking, especially in our local area (near Wichita, KS). Her passion is unparalleled and the ripples of her efforts have spread further than she ever imagined. She is amazing, and her cause is crucial. Please share …

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See that one in the back? She’s one of Mr. Sandman’s best secret weapons. She’s already plotting to wake up her sister!

Dear Mr. Sandman,

Well, you’ve done it again. You’ve managed to elude me for the third night in a row. No, make that the third year in a row. Who do you think you are, anyways? You think you’ve got a monopoly on sleep? Huh? You think I can’t go somewhere else to place my order? Ok, so you kind of do have a tight grip on this whole nighttime gig. But there’s got to be someone else out there, there’s got to be! You don’t own me! We didn’t sign a contract!

Sigh. I guess we did sign a contract. Or at least, we renegotiated. Back in the day, after I got married. You …

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