birthday boy...

this past weekend, while i was out 'junking' my baby had a birthday.

can you believe the nerve of him?

i know it sounds cliche but where did 11 years go?

i can still remember the way he felt when i kissed his head for the first time. he was 60 seconds old.

i remember thinking that all i wanted in life was to watch him grow up happy and be a man of God.

i believe he's well on his way.now i wish i could have bottled him that day.

cuz, he won't stop growing.

nor would i wish that for him.

that being said, i love this age!

i love that he is turning into a wonderful, independent little adult.

sam never ceases to amaze me.

he is truly the wittiest child i've ever met. a funny, funny little man.

and sweet. he is the first one to ask how i'm doing. he is always acutely aware of other peoples feelings.

i love that quality about him!

if you don't know sam, i wish you did.

i you DO know him, i bet you're glad you do.

happy 11th birthday son.

i'm so proud to be your mama.

i'm a die-hard, forever-going-to-be Farm Chick.....

i'm back!!

i've gotten a number of emails from you asking how my weekend was. thank you.

two words.

stinkin' amazing!

i need to run to town but will try and post later today.

i know you'll be sitting on the edge of your seat, just waiting....

from cabin to beach...

the color of my bedroom furniture has always bugged me.

much too loggy (as in a log house) for me.

since i'd rather be on a beach right now, white inspires me.

since i had a white gallon sitting there, STARING at me,

i painted.

and

i loved it.

pioneer woman cooks...

the prep zone....

this is what Stewed tomatoes look like. we usually just use ketchup.

put your noodles on tin foil??? never heard of this but hey, when the Pioneer Woman tells you to do it, you just do it. don't ask questions. she's published a book, i haven't.

alright.

if you are reading my blog and have not yet heard about the Pioneer Woman,

get OFF my blog and check her out!!

no, i won't think you're a trader.

she's an amazingly funny girl.

someone that i would like to be friends with if she lived in my town.

she homeschools.

she blogs.

she cooks.

blah. blah. blah. so NOT me. still...love her.

my sis was telling me about her cookbook.

a.MAZ.ing!!!

so i've been trying some of her recipes.

easy-smeasy-japanesseeee!

in fact, she shows step-by-step PICTURES!

HELLO! that's my love language.

last week i made her lasagna.

jackpot. finally found something that all four of my boys were wild about.

so i made it again tonight for the whole likkel clan. when i told max was i was making, he actually let out a "yee-haawww".

of course, forgot to take a pic of the final project but trust me, it was prudy!!