Future Baker

We all know that one day Sarah will own her own bakery! Until then she is getting some practice in. We will be attending a church block party tomorrow and Sarah made these yummy cupcakes to take.

 These are dark chocolate salted caramel cupcakes! She has made these before and they were delicious! She will add a pretzel on top before we leave. If you add the pretzel too soon the pretzel will be soggy.

These are funfetti cupcakes! Haven't tried these yet but I am sure they are yummy! She enjoys baking and trying new recipes. It's fall now and I am sure she will try something with some "fall" flavor soon.

Fall Soccer Season

This weekend we finished up our fall soccer season with games on Saturday. Grandparents were able to come up and spend some time with us.

 My parents came up on Wednesday evening and were able to be here for soccer games on Thursday night. Elijah, Timothy, and Joanna had games on Thursday night while Isaac and Sarah refereed a game.

 Bryan's parents arrived on Friday afternoon and Gigi (Bryan's mother) brought supper for all of us. She is an amazing cook. She made chicken and dumplings and red beans and rice. Elijah, Timothy, and Joanna helped make the banana pudding, and they enjoyed licking the spoons and bowls.

 Soccer games started early on Saturday. Isaac and Sarah had the first game at 9 and then the other children played games after that with the last game at 1:30. It was a hot and exhausting day. Sarah and Isaac had two games and in between their two games they refereed three games (they were busy and tired).

 Do you recognize these two soccer players? This was one of our first soccer seasons when they were younger... much younger. They began playing Upward soccer when they were 5 and 7 years old.

Here they are all grown up! (Makes my heart melt!) In the fall of 2014 they began playing soccer at the local recreational league. It was a whole different game than Upwards. We had to get use to the rules and plays of soccer at this level. They have had some great times playing soccer. Our family is very blessed to have the physical ability to play a sport and we often remind the children that we never should take that for granted. Thank you Lord!!

Seven Brides For Seven Brothers

One of Sarah's involvements this summer was a play. The local community theatre put on the play Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and Sarah was so excited to audition for a part. She was one of the town girls! 

Here she is during one of her scenes. Sarah really enjoys theatre and had lots of fun being a part of this play.

Here is Sarah again during another one of her parts. She did a great job! She has been involved in several other plays at the theatre but she said she thinks this play was her favorite!

Here are the six town girls. This play really was a great performance. All the young men and ladies did a great job and were a very talented cast!

We are blessed with a talented young lady as a daughter! Sarah is always ready for an adventure! The last performance for this play was on her 15th birthday and she left the next day headed to 4-H Round Up (post about that coming). Love this girl very much!

A Food Demonstration

Sarah had the opportunity to do a Food Demonstration at a local Farmers Market. Here she is cooking up some squash, zucchini, and onion on a griddle. It was very tasty and Sarah had a great time.

15 Years Old

We celebrated Sarah's birthday this past weekend with grandparents! On Friday Bryan's parents (Pop and Gigi) came up and Gigi brought us some delicious lasagna and butterfinger cake! YUMMY! Then Pop, Gigi, Bryan, Elijah, Timothy, and Joanna went to watch Sarah in the play she was in (more about that later). Then on Saturday my parents came up and we all celebrated Sarah's birthday at lunch. I fixed some of her favorite foods. She and I made a cheesecake for us to enjoy. On Saturday night my parents stayed and was able to attend the play that night. 

 Pop and Gigi got Sarah a set of luggage for her birthday. She had asked for this because she is always ready to go somewhere. She was able to pack the biggest suitcase and take it to 4-H Round Up...perfect timing!

 My parents got her clothes, which she asked for and needed. She took these to 4-H Round Up.

 Sarah was playing the piano while Bryan and Gigi sang along. It was very special!

 Here is the cheesecake we made for Sarah's birthday! It was a caramel pecan cheesecake and very delicious!

Here is Sarah with Pop and Gigi. We are very blessed to have the grandparents come up for birthdays and celebrate with us!

Sarah is one special young lady! I know God has something special for her and He is going to use her to do great things for His Glory! She loves an adventure and a good book. Sarah is such a blessing to me and a great help around the house. She is learning to care for others and one day care for her own family. I love this girl and very thankful that God made me her mother.

Donations for 4-H Round Up

Sarah has gotten really involved in 4-H and enjoys the opportunities 4-H has given her. In the spring she had the opportunity to attend 4-H Congress. Then she wanted to attend 4-H Round Up, but she had a couple of things to accomplish first. One of the things she had to do was be inducted into the 4-H All Stars AND she had to raise the money to go to Round Up. She decided that to raise money she would bake cakes and take donations for the cakes. Sarah began taking orders for either strawberry cake or Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake, then she did lots of baking and in the end she had raised enough money for the Round Up fee and for items she needed for the trip. I was so proud of her for all her hard work and accomplishments. On July 14, she attended Round Up Readiness Day and was inducted into the 4-H All Stars...she was now ready to attend Round Up! Here are the cakes she made...

 Sarah's Aunt got her these cake plates and made these cute decals.

 Here is the strawberry cake

 Chocolate Salted Caramel Cake

Sarah made these cupcakes for two of the youth girls at church that ordered cupcakes. The cupcakes are chocolate cake with a cream cheese frosting.

Which one would you choose?

Where Has the Past 15 Years Gone?

On June 19-21, Sarah led a Culinary Camp at the 4-H Extension Office. She planned the camp and led it with the help of a dear friend. There were twelve 4-6 graders that attended. They had lots of fun and Sarah enjoyed it just as much as they did. They learned new skills and each day they prepared food and that was their lunch. Sarah had such a great time and a great response that she will be leading a 4-H Culinary Club this next school year.

Today is Sarah's 15th birthday!! Where has the past 15 years gone? I will post more in the days to come about this precious blessing! Lots going on in her life lately and can't wait to share! Love you so much Sarah!

Youth Camp 2018

Our full month started off with our family attending Youth Camp the first week of June. This was the first time we all were able to attend and it was a blessing to be together. The week started by leaving our church early Monday morning and traveling by bus to east Tennessee. Bryan and our youth minister have been doing this youth camp together for 9 years! Isaac and Sarah have been attending for a few years and always look forward to camp! There were a total of 8 worship services, a breakout session each day, games, devotions, and much more! The theme for the week was "He in Me", we learned that its about daily denying ourselves and allowing Jesus to live in and through us. Galatians 2:20 Wanted to share a few pictures from our week.

 Here is a picture of Sarah with one of her friends from another youth group. These two were excited to see each other and had a hard time leaving each other at the end of the week. On the day I took this picture they decided to dress alike. Love these two godly young ladies and can't wait to see all that God has planned for them.

 Elijah and Timothy actually got sick on Tuesday and ran a fever for a couple of days. They both were troopers and I was able to take them and rest most of those days they felt bad.

 Timothy thought this rock was cool! It was right outside the chapel and it had a place in the rock that looked just like a sit. Just had to get a picture of him sitting on this special rock.

There was another family at youth camp and Joanna was able to play with their little girls. They really enjoyed the play ground. It was also great to have another family there and we could help with each others kids. 

 Here is Isaac with a buddy from church. Isaac had a great time at camp and did a great job of making the younger youth boys (first year at camp) feel welcome and apart. I can see this young man maturing.

 On Friday morning the group hiked up the mountain. It was a big hike and these two did a great job of keeping up and trucking along. Proud of how well our three younger children did at youth camp.

 Here is the view from the top of the mountain we hiked up. When everyone arrived at the top we had biscuits and then our final worship service. It was amazing!

Bryan and I start the hike back down the mountain. I think our family would enjoy hiking together often. Makes us remember all the missionaries that have hiked up and down many mountains to get the gospel message to those who have never heard of Jesus. Praising the Lord that we are healthy enough to make hikes like this.

Christmas 2017 Piano Recital

We are getting ready for our spring piano recital and I realized that I had not posted pictures of our Christmas recital. We have a wonderful piano teacher, she is the pianist at the church we attend. Elijah has done really well and played two songs at the recital, love this boy so much! He has been taking for two years.

Sarah really enjoys piano and does really well. She has even began being the backup keyboardist for the Youth Praise Band at the church we attend. She has even been taking voice this year as well. She played two songs at the recital and sang one song. Love this girl and her talent. Sarah has been taking piano off and on since she was 6 years old.

2018 Tennessee 4-H Congress (Final Post)

 Tuesday morning we attended a regional breakfast followed by the students being able to vote for Congress Governor, Speaker of House, and Speaker of Senate. Isaac is sitting on stage for breakfast because he was chosen to give the invocation for breakfast.

 After voting we were able to change and board buses for our trip to the General Jackson.

 After boarding the General Jackson we enjoyed lunch and great fellowship time with others.

 Can't have a complete trip without a little goofing off. :)

 The Cumberland River

 After lunch and a trip on the Cumberland River we headed back to Murfreesboro for a formal dinner at the hotel. Sarah was chosen to play the keyboard while everyone entered and was seated.

 Here is a picture of our table at the formal dinner.

Very thankful that I had this opportunity to attend Congress with Isaac and Sarah. These two had a great time at Congress.

2018 Tennessee 4-H Congress (Part 4)

 On Monday we all boarded buses and traveled over to our state Capitol in Nashville. Our morning started off with getting to be apart of mock sessions. The students were able to sit where our Senators and Representatives sit and see what voting on bills is like.

 One of Isaac's parts was to stand and oppose one of the bills they were voting on. Then the floor was open to others who wanted to state why they would be for or against the bill. The students were then able to "vote". The students I was with said this was their favorite part of Congress.

 Then after a box lunch at the Avon Williams campus of University of Tennessee the students attended a couple of educational sessions. One was titled "From Sheep to Wool" about the uses of wool. The other educational session was about Memes and how to critique them. We finished up around 2:15 and headed over to meet our county Senator and Representatives.

 First on our list was Dr. Joey Hensley which is our Senator.

 Next we stopped in to visit David "Coach" Byrd, one of our Representatives.

 Our final visit was with our other representative, Barry Doss. At the close of our visit with Barry Doss they were going in to sessions, which we were able to attend but didn't get to stay long.

 Then we had a few hours to grab some supper and look around before heading back to the buses.

 It was a long day, but good. We ate supper at the Old Spaghetti Factory...delicious!

Here we are making our way back to the buses. We got our exercise in for the day and were some tired folks. :)

4-H Banquet

In December 2017 our three oldest had a 4-H banquet where they were recognized for their participation in 4-H. All three of them received a pennant and certificate for being involved in the Loud Speakers Club (Public Speaking). Then Isaac and Sarah were inducted into the Tennessee 4-H Honor Club. Very proud of them for all their hard work and dedication. 

 Here is Isaac and Sarah during their induction ceremony.

Next year Timothy will be able to be apart. Very thankful for the opportunities that 4-H has given our children. Isaac and Sarah just competed in the Tennessee Regional 4-H Public Speaking Competition. Sarah received runner up  for 9th grade Western Division. Isaac won in 10th grade Western Division and will compete in State Competition in the spring.