ROMA!

Lots of pictures from Rome!

Stoppin' In To Share A Recipe!

This is an easy dessert to make that everyone will love!

Cool whip (I use FREE)
Fruit; either canned and drained or fresh, cut up
Cinnamon

Dump fruit into a bowl, fold in Cool Whip to cover fruit. Add a little cinnamon. DONE! Well, I put it in the freezer for a little while to chill. It is very yummy!

I've made it with fruit cocktail, just make sure you drain it well. And with fresh apples and bananas. It would be good with any fruit! And the cinnamon makes it taste so much better. Who would've thought?

Enjoy!

I'm back... for a bit!

We got back from our road trip! It was awesome! I'm slowly getting back into my routine. And editing lots of pictures. We got our orders (basically, a contract stating when we'll be moving and where and all the details) and we will be leaving Sigonella in November and Jason has to report for duty in January. We are moving to Bowie, Maryland, where we already found a house to rent. What a blessing! So, the next few months will be crazy and posting may be sporadic but thanks for hanging in there. Here are a few pictures to keep your attention! The night view is Mount Vesuvius and also the view from our room in Naples. The rest are from Pompeii.

Wisdom For Wednesday

Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.
-John Wesley

Scripture Sunday TWO-FER!

Jeremiah 23:23-24 (New Century Version)

²³ "I am a God who is near," says the Lord.
"I am also a God who is far away.
²⁴ No one can hide
where I cannot see him," says the Lord.
"I fill all of heaven and earth," says the Lord.

James 4:8 (New International Version)

⁸Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

Just Checkin' In

Hi there,
I am enjoying some quiet time while my boys are at the child care center and Jason gets his massage (don't worry, mine is scheduled for Saturday!). When he is done we're heading the the breakfast buffet. Just wanted to check in and remind you that you need to enter to win Max Lucado's new book! I will pick a winner on 10/1. There is only one entry so far, so get to it! I am so in love with Germany! I can't wait to tell you all about it! I'll be back home next week. :(

Wisdom For Wednesday

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. -C.S. Lewis

Scripture Sunday

Proverbs 13:24 (The Message)

A refusal to correct is a refusal to love;
love your children by disciplining them.

Wisdom For Wednesday

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else. -C.S. Lewis

Scripture Sunday

The Armor of God ~Ephesians 6:10-20

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. ¹⁸And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.

¹⁹Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, ²⁰for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Wisdom for Wednesday

We [Christians] are locked in a battle. This is not a friendly, gentleman's discussion. It is a life and death conflict between the spiritual hosts of wickedness and those who claim the name of Christ.
--Francis A. Schaeffer

Let The R & R Begin!

Alright, it is vacation time! We are leaving early in the morning and won't be returning until the end of the month. I will have internet access and might be able to do a post here and there but I am clocking out! Make sure you read my book review and enter to win a copy of the awesome book! Please pray for traveling mercies as we hit the road! Thanks!

Book Review & Giveaway!: Fearless by Max Lucado

Fearless Imagine Your Life Without Fear
By Max Lucado

RELEASE DATE 9/8/2009

Book Description

Each sunrise seems to bring fresh reasons for fear.

They're talking layoffs at work, slowdowns in the economy, flare-ups in the Middle East, turnovers at headquarters, downturns in the housing market, upswings in global warming. The plague of our day, terrorism, begins with the word terror. Fear, it seems, has taken up a hundred-year lease on the building next door and set up shop. Oversized and rude, fear herds us into a prison of unlocked doors. Wouldn't it be great to walk out?

Imagine your life, wholly untouched by angst. What if faith, not fear, was your default reaction to threats? If you could hover a fear magnet over your heart and extract every last shaving of dread, insecurity, or doubt, what would remain? Envision a day, just one day, where you could trust more and fear less.

Can you imagine your life without fear?

Preview Fearless right now.

The Fearless Times A great resource from Max Lucado.

My Review

Fear is something we face every day; from spiders to terrorism, from birth to death and everything in between. Max Lucado teaches us that there are ways to rid your life of the fear and truly begin to live. This book is not just for the person that is consumed by fear but the person that has doubts and may not be living to the fullest. Lucado explains how we should be relying on God to rid our lives of fear. He has frequent references to scripture and life stories as examples of how we should be focusing our lives.

Typically it takes me a month or so to finish a book, if it will hold my attention that long. As most moms, I am very busy and reading is low on my to-do list. Occasionally though, I'll come across a book that I cannot put down. Fearless by Max Lucado held my attention, intrgued and educated me. I finished it in five days. Not record breaking by any means but for me that is fast. Fearless is full of Godly insight and wisdom. Max Lucado has a wonderful way of taking a very intense subject, like fear and making it light and sometimes even humorous. Often times it was like being in a conversation with Mr. Lucado. This book was a delight to read. More importantly it changed the way I think about fear.

I have already recommended this book to friends. I am writing this review so that I can recommend it to more people that may be struggling with everyday fears or even people that don't think they are struggling. This book is for everyone. If you need the weight lifted off your shoulders or your doubts erased, this book is for you. This book will truly inspire you.

Book Giveaway!

Thomas Nelson Book Review has blessed me with a copy of Max Lucado's Fearless to share with my readers. The following are ways that you can enter to win. I will choose the winner (drawn from a hat) on October 1st, when I return from my vacation. All comments will be automatically approved, so please no spam or junk. Leave a comment for EACH entry!

1. Leave a comment describing a fear that you have (to qualify any other entries you must do this first).
2. Blog about this giveaway and post your link in a comment.
3. If you don't blog, email your friends the link to this review (cc me in the email).
   
4. Follow me or subscribe to my blog.
5. Add me to your blogroll.

See you in October!! Good luck to you all!

My Husband Rocks Monday

This week I will continue to tell you our wonderful vacation plans. The reason that I'm doin this during the MHR post is because he does! And if I weren't married to him, I wouldn't be living in Italy and have this awesome opportunity!

We will leave our home in Sicily and head to the mainland, we'll hitch a ferry over. Then drive to Naples for a couple days. We'll visit Pompeii and maybe Positano from there. Then to Rome to stay in an adorable bungalow for three nights. We can't wait to visit the Vatican, as well as the Trevi fountain and Pantheon (and Hard Rock). Livorno is next for a night, just to visit Pisa. Vicenza is between Verona (think Romeo & Juliet) and Venice (Hard Rock, too). A quick stop in Garmisch, Germany before heading to Berlin (Hard Rock!) for two nights! Then back to Garmisch for SEVEN days! There is a military resort there and it will be a slice of American heaven for a week! While there we will visit Innsbruck, Austria (Swarovski!) and Munich. After Garmisch we'll head home, staying in Vicenza and Naples to rest along the way. We'll be gone three weeks and I am so thrilled. I will have interent access at most of the places we'll be, I'll try and update. No promises!

Free Disney Stuff!

If you buy any Disney movies then you should sign up for Disney Movie Rewards. It is free to sign up! All the movies have a code inside, you enter the code and it adds points to your account. Then you redeem the points for free Disney stuff! It gets better! As you know, I recently celebrated my birthday. Well, I received an email from Disney Rewards for a free Blu-ray DVD! There were five to choose from! I chose Meet The Robinsons because I love it and we needed a new copy (somebody slide it across the tile). So, go sign up for free Disney stuff!

TGoF .20

Lord today I thank you for /that...

1. your grace.
2. your salvation.
3. your patience.
4. your Word.
5. my family.
6. orders.
7. the internet.
8. vacations.
9. America.
10. my friends.
    

Flashback Friday

In honor of Jennifer's 29th birthday here is a picture of us, getting ready for some dancin'! I think it must have been 2003.

Book Review: The Jesus Book by Stephen Elkins

Book Description (taken from Thomas Nelson)

The Jesus Book by Stephen Elkins introduces kids to the life, teaching, wonder, and amazing love of Jesus.

Often kids know about Jesus but don't have a relationship with Him. This book offers kids "everything you need to know about God's Son" and encourages a lifelong relationship with their Lord. Divided into Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How sections, it offers clear explanations and easy understanding for young hearts. It will teach them things like who Jesus is: Jesus is God's Son, and He is also my friend. Where is Jesus? He lives in heaven, but He also lives in my heart. How does Jesus act? He acts with kindness and forgiveness, and He wants me to be like Him. Includes an audio CD with over an hour of songs about Jesus. This is a must-have for every child!

My Review

The Jesus Book by Stephen Elkins is wonderful for children of all ages. The Jesus Book explains who Jesus was and what He did with simple to read and understand language. The Jesus Book has brightly colored pictures that help explain the stories with the original Bible verses to refer back to. The message of this book is very clear, to teach about who Jesus really was and what He did for us. Stephen Elkins provids readers with a strong, spiritual message. This book helps us to understand that Jesus wants a relationship with us and while He is God's son, He is also our friend.

The Jesus Book would be a great devotional or accompaniment to a homeschool curriculum. I would definitely recommend this book for others. The CD that is included with the book has all the classic songs mixed with a few new ones. I was worried that this would be annoying children's music but it is very pleasant and didn't bother me to listen in the car.

Things I Love Thursday

I love ibuprofen. Yes, I said ibuprofen. I have been having back, neck and consequently headaches the last few weeks. The only thing that helps is drugs. Heat helped a little. Hopefully the doctor prescribes massage. I don't think the navy would pay for that.

Wisdom For Wednesday

Once abolish the God and the government becomes the God.
-G. K. Chesterton

Tot School

This week we worked on Days 5-7 of Creation. Joshua started singing his ABCs almost correctly the entire way through them! He only misses a couple. We are working on counting, mostly fingers and toes. For some reason he always skips the number two. But he can count to 15. Some days he doesn't want to touch his workbooks or even want to listen to me read and then other days that is all he wants to do. No problem. I like that idea, too. Sorry for the lack of pictures. We are planning for our big trip and I don't have much "extra" time.

My Husband Rocks Monday

We are planning our trip to drive from Sicily to Berlin and see everything in between. While this may be short and sweet, I know there are a lot of husbands that don't like to travel but mine rocks because of this trip!

Books Books Books

I have recently become an Usborne Books Consultant. I am having an Open House & eShow to showcase Usborne's awesome selection of high quality books.

Click here to visit my website and order online. For every $25 order you will be entered into a drawing to win a free book (up to $20 value). Click on Emily Ekegren under eShows to place an order and be entered into the drawing!

You can also host your own Usborne show and earn free books! If you host before the end of October you can earn DOUBLE the FREE books because I am a new consultant!

Now is also a great time to sign up to be an Usborne Consultant! I am able to share this opportunity with two friends for half price during my first eight weeks. So, if you sign up before October 3rd you can get the complete kit for half price $99 (+$20 shipping). Regular price is $199! You get 31 books, all your business material, catalogs and website for only $99! There are no minimums to stay active so you can work as little or as much as you'd like.

Let me know if you have any questions!

Scriptue Sunday

So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
-Matthew 10:31

M.I.A.

Our internet was down for over 36 hours! I am so behind on everything! I'll try and get some catching up done tomorrow.

Wisdom For Wednesday

Growth means change and change involves risk, stepping from the known to the unknown.
-Author Unknown

Changes...

I am going to be making some changes to my blog, hopefully completing them this week. Please pray for my patience with HTML and that everything works out right. If you have a blog or a button you'd like to add to my blogroll please post a comment. Thanks for your patience!

My Husband Rocks Monday

Saturday was my birthday and while I proclaim that August is my birthday month and we need to celebrate every day, my husband is not usually receptive. But this year he warmed up to the idea. First, I have to tell you that my husband never wraps presents and typically I will get the gift as soon as he has it. This doesn't bother me at all.

Anyway, I received my craft closet two weeks ago. Then last week he brought home the new Daughtry CD for me. [Which I absolutely love!]

Friday night I really wanted to go out to dinner with friends and get a sitter. Living in Italy has been hard for me because I haven't eaten Chinese or Mexican, really since we've been here. I decided on Chinese. Dinner was fun with friends and good food and always the adventure of driving in Italy. It was not quite as good as the Chinese back home but it will get me by for three and a half more months.

Saturday we had stamp club (working on pictures) and last year on my birthday we started the stamp-all-night-birthday-celebrations. Lets just say I was in bed close to three AM! Earlier than last year. Jason stayed home with boys, they came over and had pizza with us for dinner. He is so understanding of my needs for creative time and also time with the girls. He even helpd the boys make me birthday cards. I almost forgot, he let me sleep in Saturday morning, too. He got the boys up and fed while I rested up.

Sunday morning rolls around and we didn't quite make it to church. We relaxed on the couch for a little while the boys played upstairs. Jason made the boys' breakfast and I made ours. We hung out and watched TV and did laundry. Later in the day he said that I didn't really get a birthday dinner and asked what I wanted him to make. After I reminded him about Chinese, he said he wanted to make me dinner. I told him that I wanted something that would make him leftovers for lunch for the entire week. He made some goulash-y stuff and we had enough for lunches all week! That makes menu planning so much easier!

One final note about my rockin' husband... Last week we had VBS and Jason took time from his very busy schedule to volunteer. It really meant a lot to me. Like, really a lot.

Nursing Mommy Celebration

Don't forget! August 24th through August 28th, My Four Monkeys will be hosting our very own Nursing Mommy Celebration in honor of my final days as a nursing mommy! Luke is down to nursing only once late at night, so he may actually be weaned by the time the party starts! There will be lots of giveaway goodies to be had during our Nursing Mommy Celebration: Nursing Cover, Nursing Poncho, Nursing Top, a Hooter Hider from Bebe au Lait, Baby Sling, Medela Products, and a Boppy!

Scripture Sunday

From Psalm 16:

"Preserve me, O God, for in You I put my trust.

O my soul, you have said to the LORD,
“You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from You.”

O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.

I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel;
My heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
I have set the LORD always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope.
For You will not leave my soul in Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore."

ABC's of Me

The ABC’s Of Me

A- Available: nah, I'm really lovin' my hubs!

B - Best friend: hubs is truly my best friend!

C – Cake or pie: uh, both. I like yellow with chocolate frosting. And I love banana cream pie. I like brownies and cake, too. No nuts, please.

D - Drink of choice: iced tea is good, no sugar. I love cappuccinos, too!

E – Essential item you use everyday: my glasses, so then I can see all the things I need to use everyday.

F – Favorite color: blue

G - Gummy bears or worms: I like the sour ones.

H – Hometown: San Andreas, Ca. no, it is not on the fault.

I – Indulgence: craft stuff. duh.

J – January or February: I dunno

K – Kids: 2 boys

L – Life is incomplete without: my Bible

M - Marriage date: 7/4/2006

N - Number of siblings: I have twin sisters that are younger than I am.

O - Oranges or Apples: I love oranges but I'm picky about them.

P - Phobias/Fears: I don't like adrenaline.

Q- Favorite Quote: Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9

R – Reason to smile: Jesus loves me.

S – Season: depends on where we are

T- Thing you’d have if you had all kinds of money: our very own house with my very own craft room!

U – Unknown fact about myself: I'm a blogger, there is nothing unknown.

V - Vegetable you don’t like: mushrooms, they are a fungus but I guess they're a vegetable, too.

W – Worst habit: being lazy

X – X-rays: Teeth, back

Y – Your favorite food: Mexican

Z - Zodiac: I'm a Leo.


Link to other like this.

TGoF .19

Our Precious Lord and Father, today I thank You and praise You for/that...

1. Vacation Bible School was wonderful.
2. VBS is done.
3. I can get back into my routine.
4. I don't have to be out the door at 715 every morning.
5. I'm another year older (and wiser, right).
6. we are all happy and healthy.
7. Jason booked our place to stay in Rome.
8. vacations! Three weeks in Italy and Germany to be exact!
9. my amazing hubs. He rocks but I'll talk more about that on Monday.
10. motrin.

This post is late, I've been super busy and exhausted this week...

Flashback Friday

I was about six months old!

Things I Love Thursday

I'm sure you've seen some Tot School posts on my blog recently and you may have no idea what they are, so I'm going to tell you a little about them. I subscribe to over 150 blogs... Yes, really. There are a few that I absolutely love and consider them a must-read. One of my favorites for the kid stuff is 1+1+1=1. Carissa is awesome! She has compiled ideas from all over the place and now shares them with all of us! The best part, if I could only pick one is the Tot Books! They are mini-lapbooks that are special for tots! If you have a tot you need to go visit Carissa and see all of her ideas and resources! You'll see why I'm sharing this on a Thursday!

Don't forget to go say hi to the creator of Things I Love Thursday!

Tot School Week 3

Forgive me, I am taking this week off from Tot School. I am volunteering at Vacation Bible School and am so exhausted! We did work on our Creation Book this last week. I'll do a double post next week!

My Husband Rocks Monday

I have been having a hard time with the organization around here. I'm getting everything just how I like it but I think it is because we're moving in a few months. I've been dumping the excess and organize the stuff to keep. The biggest challenge has been my craft stuff. It has been upstairs in our extra bedroom collecting dust because I never go in there. It was in those plastic drawers and I had no workspace. I couldn't have it all downstairs, as I have two toddlers.

My husband is a builder in the Navy, which means he can build a house from the foundation up, other than the plumbing and electric. It also means that he has access to every tool and a woodshop with every piece of equipment that you could imagine. We have been married for three years and together for 1.5 years before that. He had yet to make me anything. He was always telling me about all these great things that he could or has made. blahblahblah. I got nothing!

Until last week! My first Jason Masterpiece and a craft closet, complete with a lock! He even stained it to match our kitchen table. He did say this is just temporary. I'm figuring this will work well until we buy a house. You know what makes this really awesome? A couple things; he made it with his own hands, I never asked for it and he really cares about my hobbies and the things that are important to me.


MY HUSBAND ROCKS!
Click here to see how My Husband Rocks all started!

Scripture Sunday

⁴Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, ⁵for each one should carry his own load.
Galations 6:4-5

A Run In With The Roses

It all started as a relaxing morning by the pool and somehow turned into the roses attacking my poor baby! Maybe they are upset because Nikolas gets more attention than they do. They are pretty sad. Praise God for spray Neosporin!