Family Update

Steve graduated, YEAH!!!, from JMU on Saturday. Now things aren't a whole lot different now. He's still stressed and he's still studying. He takes his PA board exam on Jan. 6th. Please be praying for him and us.

He has received a signed contract with an ortho office in Fredericksburg, VA. We have looked at houses and apts, but will not be making any financial commitments up there until after he passes his exam. I know he will, but we don't want to get ourselves into a financial mess if he - shhh - doesn't pass.

Please be praying for us in these specific areas (in no particular area of importance):
- Stephen's board exam on Jan. 6th
- Trip to Canada Jan. 7th
- House in L-burg to sell
- Find housing in Fred.
- Transition back to being a family living under one roof
- Support system to surface in Fred.
- Church in Fred.
- Lily - she's told us numerous times that she does NOT want to move
- Find a school for Lily
- Paperwork for Stephen to start work to be completed quickly (license, DEA #, hospital privileges)
- Smooth transition for Stephen as he starts work in Fred. Feb. 1st

I know this is the path we are to walk, but it doesn't make it any easier as I/we have to leave much that is familiar: awesome church family at LFCN, my parents, MOPS, etc.

Blissful quiet . . .

No, nothing going on here that shouldn't be. Both girls are soundly asleep. I had to share what happened this afternoon between Graceanne and I. I don't rock her all the way to sleep, but I do sing a couple songs as a routine to help her know it's time to rest.

GA's pacy fell out of her mouth and she started laughing hysterically. Thought it was a fluke - um, nope. For the next couple minutes, she had this gleam in her eye and a grin on her face. She would spit it out by chomping down on it and it would fling right out of her mouth. I wish I had had the camera handy to get a video. It was precious.

Lynchburg Living Photo Shoot Pics

Here are a few of the 80 some pictures that Daryl took!

Can I . . .

Dictate blog posts? Maybe I could borrow Steve's Dictaphone once he's working and pay some one else to type it all up for me.

Not enough time in my days . . .

Pumpkin Cheesecake Recipe

I made this for the first time a few weeks ago for a MOPS recipe "competition. I must give credit where credit is due though. It isn't completely original. I modified a recipe that Grandma Robey made for years: Cherry Delight. Sorry Chris for messing with one of your favorites.

Pumpkin "Cheesecake"

Filling:
2 pkg cream cheese (I used 1/3 less fat)
1 cup white sugar
1/2 cup pumpkin (canned or fresh pureed)
1/2 t pumpkin pie spice
1/2 t cinnamon
1 small container of whipped topping (thawed)

Topping:
I small container of whipped cream (thawed)

Crust:
Nilla wafers
1/4 - 1/2 c melted butter

Crush enough Nilla wafers to cover the bottom of the pan. I use a 9 x 9 pan. (You could probably use 9x13 - it would just be thinner). Pour melted butter over the crushed wafers. Stir in pan you are using and press down (I do that just to keep from getting another dish dirty). Set aside.

Cream sugar and cream cheese. Add pumpkin and blend well. Add spices and blend well. Pour/spoon over crust.

You could probably go ahead and put the whipped topping layer on, but I forgot to pull both containers out of the refrigerator at the same time. I only had one thawed. I refrigerated the dessert until the whipped topping was thawed. Spread whipped topping over the filling layer. That seemed to help the filling layer "set" a little though.

Other than having to wait for the topping to thaw, it really only took me fifteen minutes or so to make. I did let Lily "crush" the Nilla wafers in a gallon baggie for me. I think that is all. Wish I had thought to take pictures!

30 days of Giveaways

Thirty days or Giveaways at NiHaoYall.com

Check it out by clicking on the button on the side bar!

"Our Song"

Lily has labeled this song as "our song." So proud of my girl for her developing sense of God and following Him. It also applies to where we are as a family right now. Steve has a interview nest week sometime. We don't know yet, b/c he doesn't have his schedule for November yet. They said just to let them know when he's available and they'll make it work. I suppose this song is truly our family anthem right now!

I Will Follow by Chris Tomlin

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow...

All your ways are good
All your ways are sure
I will trust in you alone
Higher than my side
High above my life
I will trust in you alone

Where you go, I'll go
Where you stay, I'll stay
When you move, I'll move
I will follow you
Who you love, I'll love
How you serve I'll serve
If this life I lose, I will follow you
I will follow you

Light unto the world
Light unto my life
I will live for you alone
You're the one I seek
Knowing I will find
All I need in you alone, in you alone

In you there's life everlasting
In you there's freedom for my soul
In you there joy, unending joy
and I will follow