One of my favorite gifts ever..............

Well this past week I celebrated my birthday.  I was overwhelmed with birthday wishes and blessings by cards, facebook well wishes, kiddos hugs and singing and all kinds of goodies.  My husband gave me one of my most favorite gifts ever (if you know me well- you know he gave me one of the best gifts I've been given in my life this past November- leave a comment if you think you know what that gift was- hint.....I am still using it)

Anyway................. I woke up to find a Kindle beside me! Woo Hoo!

I will always love a "real, live" book (so don't worry Mrs. Lynda!) However, I absolutely love it.  The first book I read on my kindle was Leota's Garden by Francine Rivers. 

I actually discovered tonight I could go to Christian Book Distributor's site and find all the Christian books that are free in their section and go to Amazon and look up the same books under Kindle and download those free too! I actually think I downloaded about 30 books tonight - very easily added since my awesome husband included 3G on my Kindle! So now I am all set for vacation in a few weeks.

Thank you to everyone who helped my day (and week) so special!

On The Go Dinners

About a month ago I discovered a new business here in town (Cleveland, TN) that has been a huge blessing.  You guessed it - it's called On The Go Dinners.  It is a business that provides ready to cook meals for an incredible price.  PLUS she delivers.  Please be sure to read the order and delivery info - it is really important and can answer your questions!

Here is how it works- the cook posts the menu on Monday each week.  You email , call or text (464-2322) your order and when you would like the item you order.  If you live in the Cleveland city limits delivery is included (FREE).  Each item you order is $12.  No that is not a typo- TWELVE dollars.  I have taken a few pictures of things I have ordered and how it comes................ (I think I only have one picture of how it looks after it is cooked- lol - we usually gobble it up so fast I forget to take a picture). 

Also if you are doing weight watcher's the points are listed for each dish.  The cook lists these on the menu each week.  You can also find On The Go Dinners on Facebook - but I have no idea how to link that here! (remember I am technology challenged- just ask the crew at church).  And just in case you wondered - I have not been asked to post about this wonderful new business, I wanted to share it with you since I love it so much.  I also am not getting anything in return for sharing this business with you.  Although I am hoping I can influence the menu selections over the next few weeks- lol.  In reading past menus on the blog (from before I heard about this business) I would love to see the Chicken Alfredo Bake and / or the French Toast Casserole return to the menu selection sometime.  (Melissa - if you are reading this hint, hint )

Here is how it comes...........

 Here are the instructions for the Roast Chicken Bake!

Here is the Roast Chicken Bake ready to go in the oven!

Here is the Taco Noodle Bake ready to go in the oven!

Here it is ready to eat - yummy!

I can't not say enough good things about EVERYTHING we have ordered- Here are some of the things I have ordered: 

Roast Chicken Bake

Taco Noodle Bake

Chicken Enchiladas 

White Chicken Chili with Cornbread Crust 

Bruschetta Skinny Chicken

Beef Enchiladas

Skinny Ginger Soy Chicken

It has worked so well for Mike and I.  On nights I have ordered he gives me a buzz when he leaves work and I put it in the oven and we are ready to eat.  It is also enough food for us to have leftovers for lunch and  dinner.  So I've let you in on one of my secrets.  Oh by the way - clean up is a done quickly now- no dishes to load in the dishwasher from preparation - which makes Mike and I both happy!  Hope it helps you too!

Christmas Present to myself!

My New Tervis Tumbler
(mine has my name on it)

This Christmas I purchased Tervis Tumblers personalized with their name for the ladies I work with at church in Childhood Ministries. I decided I needed one too! Well, I am not sure how I have never been exposed to these nifty tumblers before but oh my! I am in love. A deep love relationship has begun. I mean how in the world have I not know about these before? Especially because my mom thinks I am a gadget person (like my father). It's true if he is the gadget King well I am the queen. I think that is why I love Pampered Chef stuff so much (thanks Jackie for the awesome party last night!)

Well a friend told me - knowing I like deals and coupons- to go to Bed, Bath and Beyond and take a 20% off coupon and purchase one from there too! She says they have all different kinds. Oh my this could become an addiction.

My most favorite feature is it does not sweat- thus does not leave rings. Woo Hoo! Mike laughs at how long I can make a drink last. However, the problem is sometimes it does not stay cold. Well this solves that problem. I purchased the 16 oz. tumbler but want to get one a little bigger. I also love that they are dishwasher safe!
Where have you found good deals on the Tervis Tumblers?

I'll Hold You In Heaven Remembrance Book

I wanted to share with you a book that I pray you never have a need for in your life or circle of friends and family. However, I know that many of you, especially if you are a Minister to Children, will have times when you will need to pass along this resource to a family who has lost a baby. The book is I'll Hold You in Heaven Remembrance Book by Debbie Heydrick.

It states this books if for "Those who have experienced the loss of hopes and dreams through the untimely death of their baby, those who have had to say "Good-bye" before really having the chance to say "Hello", Those who knew of their baby's existence for but a few hours, days, weeks or months, yet grew in love with their child in great hope and anticipation of this treasured life., Those ho held their child for only a brief moment and for those who never had the chance., Those who have experienced closure in the loss and for all those who have had little or no real closure at all., May you now hear the words your heart longs to hear and truly experience the hope, comfort and peace that Christ has for you."

A while back I began to search for a resource to help those couples who had experienced the loss of a baby before it was born or shortly after it was born. Although there is not a whole lot of resources I have found this is one of the best I have found. It provides words of encouragement from someone who has walked the same path. It offers the truths of God's word so you can hang onto His love and truth during this difficult time. It provides space to journal if you decide to do so. It also helps you find ways to remember your child.

I have began to pass these along to couples when they experience loss. Sadly today was one of those days. I encourage couples to set the book aside until you are ready to look through it. For some it will be the day they receive it and for others it may take a while. Grief is a journey and for two people it never looks the same. I encourage you to continue to lift up the Ryan and Keenon as they are in the beginning days of grieving. As the days and weeks move ahead for the rest of us, please don't stop praying for them. I encourage you to visit their blog HERE ! You can read about the celebration of Sam's life on their blog this coming Saturday at our church- First Baptist Cleveland . It is my prayer that even if you do not know this family our church will be HIS hands and feet this Saturday morning as we come out to love on them. Isn't it great to be a part of the family of God?

Wii Fit

So many of you have asked me did you find a Wii Fit for my husband's birthday. YES! I did! It is a long story but I actually ended up with two. So I am selling one- I think I have someone who is going to purchase it but if not I will let you know in case you are interested. We have only set it up. Boy, am I glad you can LOCK your information. Otherwise everyone could see my weight, BMI, etc. I mean I know you can look at me and pretty much figure out I NEED TO LOSE WEIGHT.............. but you know the actual numbers I am glad you can hide. Don't laugh- I think most of women no matter the size want to hide those numbers. I have laughed at someone who said they were fat and told them okay let me come stand beside you and you can rethink that statement (they were not fat at all). Tee Hee!



We have not done many things on the Wii Fit since hubby just got it. What is really funny though is the above game under the Aerobics heading. I mean how funny is it for a person to be making all these funny moves with their hips / body - I mean think about it - if you can't see the screen and don't realize you are keeping your virtual or on screen hoola hoop from falling it could look strange. Okay it looks strange anyway. But man is it fun. Okay I thought I would pass out after doing the running one.

I will also make a confession. Hubby and I could not figure out why we could not do the balance stuff correctly- I mean we were leaning like the picture said but we just knew something wasn't right OR we were a lot worse off than we ever thought. Well................. we realized we had the board backwards. Too bad our little four year old neighbor wasn't around to "teach" us how to use this like he did the Wii.

Oh funny stuff.

Nativity Sets

This is a cute Nativity Set for children to play with.................
Veggie Tale Nativity Precious Moments Nativity

I am sitting here trying to count how many Nativity Sets I have and I can't. I have a LOT. I love collecting these and have a variety of kinds. I have several from different places and many hold special meaning to my husband and I. The one I have pictured above is a Precious Moments Nativity that was given to me several years ago by my parents. I believe they purchased it through AVON.

I encourage everyone who has children in their sphere of influence (I think that just about covers EVERYONE!) to have at least one Nativity that is child friendly. I love to watch children play with the Nativity. If you are careful you can even see them "tell" the story of Jesus birth. If you have an infant- don't worry they can hold it, put it in their mouth (well the bigger pieces), etc.

I have a new one this year called, "What God Wants For Christmas" , it is a book and nativity. It is from Family Life. I will post more on this later- I read this at our Children's Christmas Party this year. My family also read it on Christmas morning before we opened presents. It is REALLY neat - I will tell you more when I post on the Christmas Party.

Here is one I am adding to a little at a time- Fisher Price's Little People Nativity

Now is a good time to check Christian Bookstores and websites to purchase these at discounted rates- keep checking Fisher Price's website too. A friend told me a toy store had these a LOT cheaper than the website but I can't remember where it is- if you are reading this K.T. please let us know..............or if you know of somewhere you can purchase this one .......... leave us a comment!

I'm Addicted

Well, it is official. I am addicted to GAMES- I have pictured a dart board because this is the game I have played the most on my hubby's new Wii. I got him a Wii for Christmas because we have talked about getting it for a while now. We had said we were going to wait until we got our taxes back but I wanted to surprise him. He is hard to surprise AND there are very few things in life he ever says he "wants" so................ YEAH for me! I surprised him. We have had so much fun playing!

For my birthday this summer I got a Nintendo DS. I love to play games. Matter of fact I drive everyone a little crazy wanting to play. The Nintendo DS helped me survive my 9 weeks in bed after surgery (my surgery was 2 days after my birthday)! This is a fun game - hubby knows I love penguins and sea turtles so he got this game. Speaking of sea turtles if you are ever in or around Ponce Inlet, Florida (right beside Daytona Beach) you should go see the sea turtles at the little hospital and rescue center there.

This is another game I received for Christmas- wonder if hubby was trying to tell me something? :)

This is the game my sister got for Christmas and I have played it a WHOLE lot. Matter of fact I got stumped on it and my 15 year old cousin had to help me out, tee hee! Thanks Garrett!

This little system is amazing! We have had so much fun. My little four year old neighbor taught my hubby and I how to play on Christmas night. I was amazed at how well he did in ALL the games (and how poorly we did)! He was very patient in teaching us how to use the Wii. We had a Wii party the night after Christmas and my family came to play. Last night my aunt, uncle and cousins stopped by and we all played. It was absolutely hysterical. I haven't mentioned that after playing Christmas night my husband and I both could not believe how sore we were- don't laugh- have you tried it?

I am now looking for Wii Fit for my husband's birthday Monday but can't find it. I knew I should have listened to my friend Michelle and bought it when I bought the Wii. Anyway, speaking of being sore- I hear that is quite a work out (and that is why we want it).

My hubby fussed for me spending so much money on him for Christmas - since we don't normally spend that much- but hey I knew we would BOTH really use this present! The other reason is we had also talked about getting it when we adopted the girls. It has been a sad time for us since that adoption feel through and I wanted him to have it anyway!

Anyone know where I can get a Wii Fit in the Cleveland or Chattanooga, Tennessee area? I have called ALL stores and can't find one. HELP!