Mission Trip

I have felt the calling to go on a mission trip for several years.  Pregnancies and babies have squashed my dreams of flying way to Haiti to build an orphanage and hug hundreds of attention starved children.

I am going on a mission trip today.  I don't even have to pack a bag or have a passport.  I am simply going to walk across the apartment complex and share the love of Jesus with a neighbor.  God has really opened my eyes to the hurting people who live within a few yards of my front door.  I really stink at sharing Jesus so I am desperately praying for more of Him and less of Suzanne.

More to come....

Two Different

Elijah and John are about as different as two people can be.  I can barely fathom how Daniel will wiggle his way into the equation.

As obedient as Elijah is, John is reluctant to listen.
As active as John is, Elijah covets a jammie day.
Elijah is a planner (the over the top, nag you until you want to scream kind).  John is ready for an adventure at any moment.
Elijah is so soft hearted and sensitive.  John is rough and sensitive.
Elijah is very concerned about fairness and justice.  John just wants to get away with it. 

I love these boys so much.  I can only continue to pray that for as different as they are that they would find common ground through Jesus and forge a life-long friendship.  And include their baby brother every now and again.

Baking Joy

I love baking and cooking.  I especially love trying new recipes.  I have always wanted to make a cake from scratch so when my BFF decided to host a BBQ I quickly volunteered to whip up an Almond Joy Cake.  Here's how it went:

 All the ingredients needed.( I didn't need the oil; just a stick of butter.)

 I am so messy in the kitchen.  At this point I had discovered I didn't have enough sugar.  Thanks to the neighbors!

 Cakes baked

 Cut and filled with yummy coconut almond filling.  My layers did fall apartbut I just glued them back together with the filling.

The finished product with homemade cream frosting.

On Being Four

My dear John turned four last Wednesday.  There are a few things we told him are different now that he is four. 
1.  No more having Mommy help in the bathroom (unless it is an emergency)
2.  Just go to the bathroom, no need to announce and seek permission
3.  Scrape your own plate at dinner
4.  Chores.  At the Anderson house, chores start at four.  Purtting away the silverware is the four year old's job.  {Side note: it takes John 10 minutes to put away the silverware because he plays with it all before putting it away}

There are a few things I hope never change about John.
1.  His love of playing and pretending  (or be-tending if you ask him).
2.  His knack for throwing in a "Mama, I love you" at random times throughout the day

3.  Sharing secrets (or swecrits)

Finding a Voice

Daniel discovered his voice this weekend.  While driving home from the grocery store this noise was coming from the backseat.  After asking both John and Elijah to kindly stop they informed me it was Daniel who was squealing.