In a four year olds eyes...tears in mine...

In the last week or so, the subject of Heaven has come up numerous times from my 4 year old. It always surprises me. Not because we don't have "Jesus" conversations but because when she brings it up it's never close to a similar conversation. Always totally out of the blue.

In the car...

"Mama, what does Heaven look like?"
My first answer was "I dunno honey, what do you think?"
"Pretty" she replied
"I'm sure it is! I think the roads are golden and sparkly. And I think there are castles to live in, and always beautiful sunshine."
Yup, I'm sure God loves sparkles as much as I do!
We went on to discuss the "no crying, no sickness, no sadness", so on and so on.
Then with the most excitment I've seen in a conversation not having to do with candy...
"Mama, when I see Jesus I'm going to go up and sit on his lap and hug him because he's the best daddy ever!" This made me smile through the lump in my throat and stinging eyes.
The only response I could get out is "aren't you lucky you have two special daddy's that love you so much!?"
"uh huh!" she replied.

That must've gotten her wheels turning. Three days later at bedtime...

"Mama, when we will get to go to Heaven?"
This is what gets me. I don't want to think of leaving these sweet girls.
"Well honey, when your older and your body gets tired."
"Elsie (my parents elderly neighbor) is old. And Happy Pappy (my brother-in-laws father) is old too."
"Yup, they may get to go before us." I say
"Or maybe when Jesus decides he wants someone with him."  was my reply, and I was happy with it.
I didn't want to corner myself for the next time she picks up word of someone younger taken too early.
"What does Jesus look like? How will I know it is him?" she questioned
"Oh you'll know! He looks nice, and kind. And very gentle." That satisfied her for the moment.
"But when will we go?" she asked
I knew this would come but when it did I could swear I swallowed cotton balls.
Although I know my father and where I'm going with children and a husband I just don't like to think about death in our family.
"I don't know honey. Probably not for a while, until we are older, unless Jesus wants to meet us early. But I think Mommy and Daddy will go there first. We will meet you there, ok?"
She smiles...good I didn't scare her...
"I'll walk down the golden sidewalk and you'll find me there. Then we can go to the castle." she said.
Yup that simple. Final. We have a meeting spot. Tear.

"What color is the streets? Gold too?"

"Are there cars in Heaven?"

"Can you show me a picture of Jesus?"

...

...

...

I have a feeling that there will be more on this topic coming from this sweet 4 year old.
And if not and I go tomorrow to meet my maker, I'll be satisfied that she knows where I'll be and I'll see her in a little while.



If you know God as your father, I'll meet you at the castle. If not pick up the bible. Stop off at a church. Double check that path of life of yours. Where are you headed? And if your not sure about all that, or the simple faith of a child, I have a good read for you. Heaven is for real by Todd Burpo. I don't doubt this little boy know what he experienced or saw for a moment.

Children have an insight we just can't compare to anything else. Listen to them. They got the faith we all need to strive for!

And that picture Alyssa...I'm pretty sure this is as close as it's going to get until you can meet him for yourself...

Family Fun Valentine Mice

Hi Mamas!

I just wanted to share with you my ultimate favorite magazine at the moment...

FAMILY FUN MAGAZINE !

(not to be confused, with Family Circle, which I did when subscribing. :( They are so not the same thing!)

My girls are now 2 & 4 and they both have spent a lot of time going through this magazine, page by page to find their next "craft". The crafts are usually very inexpensive and you normally have most the materials on hand or can scrounge them off a friend without spending a penny. There are also recipes and more in this magazine and it's finally one I've found I'm not frustrated with a million ads and no info.

Check them out here.

Here is our last craft...

Valentine Mice!

We had some friends over and whipped out 4 little mice in no time. Felt, yarn and glue and you can too!

The Sugar Cubes Triple Chocolate Cupcake

Oh yes I did!

I just took several recipes, combined them, changed them a tad and made a awesome chocolaty chocolate, chocolate covered cupcake. This has got to be the best I've ever had!
I took a favorite chocolate cupcake recipe...
filled it with the best "heavenly hot fudge"...
and covered it in chocolate ganache!
OMG! (and I hate texting abbreviations, but it's just that good).

So here I am sharing it before I forget what I did.

Chocolate Cupcakes

3c. Flour
2c. Sugar

1/2c. Instant vanilla pudding
1/2c. Cocoa
2t. Baking Soda
1t. Salt

Combine and sift the above dry ingredients and add
2/3c. oil

2c. water
2T. white vinegar

2t. vanilla

Mix until blended. Pour into 24 cupcake papers (about 2/3 full at least), and bake at 350degrees for 20-25 minutes until raised and cake tester comes out clean. Cool completely.

Meanwhile you'll wanna make the hot fudge filling so that it can thicken and cool completely.

Heavenly Hot Fudge Sauce
2c. Sifted powdered sugar
6oz. Chocolate chips
1/2c. Butter
12oz. can evaporated milk
1/4t. saltCombine all in sauce pan, bring slowly to a boil (about 15 minutes). Boil for 1 minute while stirring constantly. Remove from heat and stir in 3/4t. vanilla extract. Cool completely, stirring every once in a while to help with cooling process.

When both the cupcakes and hot fudge is room temperature take a squeeze bottle or piping bag (bottle is way easier b/c the sauce isn't very thick), insert the tip it into the cupcake and gently squeeze desired amount into the center. You'll notice the cupcake "bulge" with sauce when it's full. Save the extra sauce for dipping :)

Next make...

Chocolate Ganache Frosting
3, 4oz bars semi sweet baking chocolate, chopped
3/8c. whipping cream (aka 1/2 of 3/4c. confusing but necessary)

Bring cream to a simmer over low heat in a small sauce pan. Remove from heat and add chocolate, stir until melted and cool until it is a good spreading consistency. Makes about 1 1/4c.

Now, your almost done! Spread the ganache carefully over top the cupcakes, covering your fudge hole (hehe) and making them irresistible!

Don't forget to try one, just in case something went wrong. Cut it nicely into bite size pieces or put all guilt aside and shove it into your mouth! OMG YUMMY!

My little helper.

I made these especially for my MIL. And after she eats one I'm sure she'll know just how much we love her, don't ya think?? Her favorite cake is a lava cake, but I wanted portioned ones to share. Plus I didn't have custard cups on hand. So I created this. Happy 60th Birthday Mom!

Bring on 2012!

So it's 2012 already. What just happened?

As I sat on our couch, taking a breather (so necessary whether your preggo or not), I watched the girls play together with their new mansion of a Barbie doll house. I remember my childhood like it was yesterday. Actually I still feel like it really wasn't that long ago but as the big 3 0 came upon I realized that I've grown up. Did you ever have a real WOW moment that time has just been flying by you? I know, everyone tells you to love each moment of life and be grateful for the time you have, and the time you have with your children. Now I'm finding myself saying this to other new moms. And I feel like I've listened to their advice, but never enough. "I have a 4 year old." I heard myself say out loud. Yup, DH laughed at me. But seriously

I have a 4 year old, a 2 year old and a big baby bump that isn't getting smaller anytime soon! Where the heck did time go!!! I find myself wanting to squeeze both my daughters...forever...like it would help keep them small and adorable. But on the other hand I can't wait to see what God has in mind for their lives.

As I look back on 2011, look back through pictures, it pains me to think I will never have those exact times with my daughters...ever again. Yup sappy, preggo here! But as I look forward to meeting my love #3, I can't wait to see what 2012 beholds.

Hang on to each day, each minute, but don't hold on so tight that you forget to look forward to tomorrow. Because tomorrow is coming whether we like it or not.

I know I've been MIA for way too long, I've scolded myself so you don't have too. But come on I have a 2 year old and a 4 year old, and I'm exhausted, I de

serve a break. But just because I haven't been visible to the blogging world doesn't mean I'm doing nothing :)

I'll blame my absence on my sister! My sister from Rwanda and her hubby and baby boy were just here to visit for the last 6 weeks. It was so fun to feel like a real complete family again. My girls just adored their "new" cousin. This was the first time that everyone (except my Mother and I) met Valerie's little family. Appolinaire who from the Congo and is a pastor at a a local church and Benjamin who is 6 months old with the sweetest little cheeks you'll ever find! We got together often although in hindsight was never enough for me. It's been bitter sweet watching Valerie's life unfold. Bitter to essentially "lose" a sister, brother-in-law, and nephew and only visit every 2 years or so. But oh so sweet to know that they are doing what Christ has called them to do regardless of the difficulties. A servant is a great description of them.

Things with baby #3 have been great. We found out it's a boy! I was rather stunned because I had already convinced myself that I "do" baby girls only. But we are so excited! I took my hubby and sister with me on ultrasound day. What a blessing to share that with Val. Earlier I realized that this baby just may be like 2 years old before she ever gets to meet him so I wanted her to have a first look :) I've been spending my crazy days trying to rest up and pondering names for our little man. I think we've fallen in love with a first name, but the middle is proving to be more difficult. We still have time. It's just a good feeling that he will not be nameless because I was wondering for a while!!!

So there is a quick catch up on what we've been doing. I have the house all decorate for Christmas and realized how much I absolutely LOVE Christmas! The friends, family, Christmas cards, cookies for neighbors, toffee, stockings and the list goes on. Our tree reflects my childhood along with the life I've built with my little family. It's not "designer" in any way (my first few were) and I've globbed on every ornament I could find but if you look closely you'll find "babys first" ornaments from 1981 and pretty yellow and blue balls from Philip's grandmothers tree. Everyone tells a story.

As Christmas is less than a week away I encourage you to reflect on your memories of childhood. Push aside any hurtful things you remember and find the "great" things you can remember.

New jammies on Christmas eve.

Mom and Dad in their room "wrapping gifts" (yeah right, I now know why it took so long!!!)

Waiting to come out of our rooms until we were told we could.

Running down the hallway.

Christmas morning breakfast.

The Christmas story

The anticipation of holding a stuffed stocking with the cutest tiny little presents inside.

Hoarding the "loot" in a large brown box and just gazing over the gifts and trinkets for days!

Oh the memories. Which will you hold dearly in your memories forever? Which ones will you pass to your children?

Merry Christmas blogging friends!

Baby Cube #3!

So it's about that time again! And yes I know what causes it and I plan on keeping it up so I don't need any prevention advice from anyone, lol!

Baby #3 is due Spring 2012, and we are so excited!

Alyssa's first reaction was "we are going to have a baby brother!" After bursting her bubble that it may be a girl she exclaimed with attitude "but I already have a sister." lol Yup, well if it was only that easy :) We are happy with either of course but I can't help but with for some blue for my hubby. On the other hand if I think about having a boy it makes me nervous. I don't know how to do boys! LOL

While coloring with the girls this morning (one thing I love and cherish) I suddenly realized Alyssa was singing out her thoughts (a normal routine).

"I love my sister. I love my sister. She is soooo beautiful, sooooo beautiful. I love my Mom. I love my Mom. Jesus and her made the world." Then she stopped and laughed. "You weren't born yet, so Jesus had to make it by himself!"

I had heard that your children look up to you and think that you make the sun rise every morning for them. I guess that is just short of creating the earth. :) I feel so blessed by these two cuties.

They think I've created the world for them and they don't even know they are the world to me.