Totaljesusgirl...Life On The Rock!

Guess who is 11!

2012-01-25T19:52:00.001-08:00

Happy Birthday Salsy!

We love you and are very proud of you!

Hope you enjoyed your special day of celebration and your mac n cheese and chicken strip dinner (his choice for his birthday dinner) and your mocha ice cream pie!

May God bless you with lots of joy this year!

Love this smile!

2012-01-25T19:50:00.000-08:00

These Lazy Cats!

2012-01-25T19:44:00.000-08:00

The other morning Destinee was complaining about her wild cat and there running through her room and playing all night..so i thought i would take a couple pictures that would capture what they do all day while she is at school...this might explain the wild party life they lead at night while she is trying to sleep!!! lol

Gotta love these cats!

Samoa Inspired Cupcakes!

2012-01-25T19:37:00.000-08:00

Ok...so Tiff and I have this favorite girl scout cookie (Samoas) and i really wanted to make a cupcake that would mirror the flavor of the cookie...

So i made a brown sugar cupcake and crumbles the actual cookie into the mixture baked them and then topped them with a caramel coconut ganache and toasted coconut flakes and drizzled with chocolate ganache! They were so good and totally reminded me of that girl scout cookie!!!

Destinee's Photography

2012-01-25T18:57:00.000-08:00

Here are some picture's that Destinee has taken lately for her photography class and i just thought they were beautiful...enjoy!

Jamestown Settlement

2012-01-13T07:55:00.000-08:00

Yesterday Jeanne, Joanna and I had a fun time touring Jamestown Settlement. Our tour guide was so funny..he was so expressive and animated (made for a fun tour and i will probably remember many facts because of the way he expressed them). It is really neat to be in such an historic place! History comes alive! Enjoyed my day with the girls and our Tai lunch.

It's OFFICIAL!!!!

2011-12-27T09:37:00.000-08:00

WARNING for those who drive in Williamsburg ~

Destinee officially has her Driver's Permit!!!!!

So proud of her!

She did a great job 10 right out of 10 questions!!!

Wish John luck as HE teaches her to drive!!!!

Family Fun

2011-12-27T09:27:00.001-08:00

Last night we had a fun family night. We were blessed by gift cards for CiCi's Pizza from our landlords for Christmas. John and the kids love this place because it is a pizza buffet ...all you can eat!!! (yes Destinee was there, she just was not wanting pictures taken) so after we stuffed ourselves with salad, pizza and brownies... we headed out in search for this house in Williamsburg that won an award for best Christmas light! The pictures don't do it justice at all but it was very pretty and it had walking paths to go through and music and moving things!

So blessed by the moments God gives to hang out with John and the kids.

This house above was so pretty....this is what i want my house to look like next year ;)

I love Him!

2011-12-26T12:07:00.001-08:00

Truly BLESSED!

2011-12-26T11:37:00.000-08:00

So very blessed and in love with my family!

Thank you Jesus!

You are always so very faithful and loving to us!

So Cute...

2011-12-26T11:27:00.000-08:00

Love these pictures of Gabriel... Ms. Bus (this is what he calls his bus driver and aide) both blessed him so much for Christmas! We really love them both and have been so happy that God sent them to Gabriel this year. It makes me feel at peace to know that they are really taking good care of him and listening to him while he is on the bus! The gift is confirmation that they are really knowing him and loving him!!! Ms. Bus (the aide) gave him Spider-man 3 DVD special edition and also this really cute Spider-man baseball hat! He was really excited!

I love the baseball hat and think it is so cute on him... but he thought i was crazy posing him and taking pictures...it did make him laugh though ) He has been having a rough week of these new weird seizures and so it is always nice to see him even through them be able to smile and be filled with so much Joy..that's proof that Jesus is alive and still doing mighty works..even in 2011!!!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

We were blessed with a nice Christmas.

The kids were very happy with all their gifts. John is so funny, for the last month he keeps telling the kids I know what you all want for Christmas.. Destinee: toothbrush and a tape, Junior: tissue, Spencer: clothes hangers, Nathaniel: socks! hahahaha and so we wrapped their iPods (which is what they really wanted...lol) in each of the funny gag gifts John had joked around about all month! It was really funny! The kids have such great and funny personalities that they thought it was a fun way to open their gifts!!! Gabriel really enjoyed his baseball set and we had fun taking out and playing!

God is always so GOOD to love us this much, to grant us so much to be thankful for and to blessed with!

Happy Birthday Jesus, Thanks for sharing so many wonderful gifts!!!

Ginger Bread Town!

2011-12-20T16:42:00.000-08:00

Artist? That we are NOT!
However, we had lots of fun putting together our ginger bread town. Thank you Ms. P for this great gift...we truly laughed harder then we have in a while ;)

Our Neighborhood Watch!!!

2011-12-20T16:38:00.001-08:00

WE DO NOT EXPECT TO HAVE ANY BIG CRIME WAVE ANY TIME SOON!!!! lol

Photo Shoot...

2011-12-20T16:34:00.000-08:00

Here are some cute pictures of Destinee's cats DiNozzo and Gibbs that she took for a school photo project!!!

Do you like my ART?

2011-12-20T14:57:00.001-08:00

SO cute...Gabriel made this picture in Novemeber but the other day he finds it in the office and comes out and says..."Mom, you like my ART?" so cute!!! He was so proud of himself and I was more proud of the sentence he used!!!!

Miracles for Madison

2011-12-20T14:49:00.000-08:00

We had lots of fun putting together boxes of love to be given out Christmas at Madison Retirement Center. The kids really enjoy it and I get excited to watch them go in and buy stuff for others and then hearing the messages they write to put in the boxes as well. This is truly what Christmas is all about...Sharing God's love with others.

3 Wisemen and a Baby!

2011-12-15T10:10:00.001-08:00

Christmas Orchestra Performance!

2011-12-15T06:01:00.000-08:00

Nathaniel had his very first Orchestra performance yesterday!

He was so excited!!

They did really good...none of the kids had ever played a violin before...they worked really hard!

Isn't he adorable!!

When he said he wanted to play violin I was a little worried but he spends so much time practicing and he is really enjoying it!

John and I think it is really cool to watch all the boys developing their own love of music and finding what instruments fit each of them best!

So we now have a guys grunge garage filled with keyboards, electric guitar, base guitar, acoustic guitar and a clarinet and now a violin!!!

NEVER a BORING or QUIET moment in the BARRERA HOUSEHOLD!!!

Looking forward to hearing the song that John and the boys create for this year's "No Talent Talent Show" at church New Year's Eve!!

Great Job Salsy! We are so PROUD of you!

Gabriel's fieldtrip to Yankee Candle & CiCi's Pizza

2011-12-15T05:37:00.001-08:00

John and I tagged along with Gabriel's class as they went to Yankee Candle and CiCi's pizza for their community outing. We had lots of fun! It is always so neat to see teacher's and aides bring these kids out into the community and support them to participate and enjoy themselves. We are truly BLESSED for these amazing people in Gabe's life!!!

(Above and Below is Gabriel and his best friend Grace)

Gabriel and some of his pals :)

I think he liked this big reindeer!

Gabriel and Daddy with the Nutcracker!

The class thought this was cool because they had just learned about the nutcracker the day before at school!

Let it SNOW! Let it SNOW!!!! We enjoyed the snow show!!!

John and I

Gabriel and Dad

Man! Wish it wasn't so blurry!

All the Christmas trees were so pretty!

Each of the kids got to make their own candles by dipping their candles in different colors!

This lady who worked at Yankee and helped the kids was the most amazing women ever!

She was so sweet and friendly and interactive with each of the kids!!!

Gabriel made a letter "G" in yellow and blue... It is hanging on our tree!!!

The teachers were all excited by all the pretty things to shop and look at..as you can see the kids maybe not soo much! hahaha

Gabriel eating his salad at CiCi's pizza!

They let each of the kids fill their own cups and serve their plates of food!

This always FREAKS me out!!!

I thank God these special teacher are so gifted and patient and encouraging! They learn a lot of social skills and self helps! Gabriel was so excited to serve himself some Sprite!!!

I love him so very much!

Fun day out with John!

2011-12-15T05:36:00.000-08:00

Thank you for all the wonderful birthday surprises!i

2011-12-15T05:28:00.000-08:00

Had lots of fun celebrating the gift of another year!

Thank you for all the wonderful cards, gifts and birthday wishes!

My husband knows me well.... was so excited for this juice dispenser and book :)

Cupcakes for Zion's Birthday

2011-12-05T12:53:00.001-08:00

These are the cupcakes I made for Zion's "tweet tweet" party!

I think they are kinda cute!

My favorite part is they are stuffed with vanilla ice cream.

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

Happy Sweet 16 Destinee!

2011-11-24T18:35:00.000-08:00

Happy Birthday to our precious daughter Destinee!

We love you very much and are so very proud of the beautiful girl of God

you are choosing to become!

Destinee's Sweet 16 Party

2011-11-24T18:29:00.000-08:00

Destinee's homecoming Dance 2011

2011-11-07T09:10:00.000-08:00

Our girl is growing up! Hard to believe that she will be turning 16 this month!

She is not processes an outward beauty (which is obvious by these pictures..if i say so myself) but she has this amazing sweet inner beauty and spirit! I love her to death and am so proud of who she is choosing to become!!!

Buddy Baseball Season is Over

2011-11-04T11:11:00.000-07:00

Last Sunday was Gabriel's last baseball game for the season. He so enjoyed it.

He loved to be up and batting... getting him around all the bases was another story!!

He kept us cracking up every game. (He would stand on the base and yell to us "What Team" and we would repeat it to him and then he would say "WILDCATS!" ...lol...I blame Destinee and her hours of High School Musical Marathons!!!)

He is probably more an entertainer rather then a athlete but we all enjoyed it.

We are very proud and look forward to next season :)

Couch Schultz made the end very special for all the kids and their family.

He gave each player a trophy medal necklace that is really cool. Gabriel was very excited!! Then they served everyone hotdogs and hamburgers, Gabriel was in heaven!

Pumpkin Picking and Hay Ride

2011-10-26T10:33:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we had lots of fun taking all the kids to pick their own pumpkins. I think we all enjoyed the bumpy hayride, Gabe was very mesmerized by it :) Love how God blesses us with these fun days!

Cupcakes :)

2011-10-26T10:26:00.000-07:00

These cupcakes were made for my very first paying customers! I KNOW!!!

Yes, someone actually paid me really well for these yummy cupcakes!

Praying it is the first of many ;)

Chocolate cake with Crumble Cookie Buttercream frosting

Coconut cake with Coconut Buttercream sprinkled with toasted coconut...

this maybe my very favorite so far ;)

Chocolate Cake with Mocha Toffee Buttercream

This is always so popular and big hit!

Photo by Dest :)

2011-10-26T10:24:00.000-07:00

Destinee is taking Photography this year at school and I was looking through all her pictures and really think this is a cool picture....

Walk Now for Autism Speaks

2011-10-03T10:03:00.000-07:00

Saturday was the 3rd annual "Walk now for Autism Speaks" and we are so blessed to have been able to walk and support such a great cause! We are especially blessed to have this team of awesome support and encouragement as our family travels the road of Autism!

Gabe we walk for you because we know the challenges you face each and every day and we are inspired by you. It is our honor to be your voice!

Birthday Surprise

2011-09-22T17:43:00.001-07:00

Today being Junior's 14th birthday and Spencer turning 13 last week, we decided to redo their bedroom and give it a cool teen boy look ;)

So this morning after they left for school we took everything out of their room and painted the walls a very light grey and put in new bunk beds and dressers and a few decorative things!

I think they have the total cool "guy's grunge garage" bedroom!

I love when they have their disco ball light on and they are in their playing music.

So much fun!!

Happy Birthday guys! We love you lots!

ENJOY!

Norge Elementary 5th Grade Orchestra

2011-09-21T15:51:00.001-07:00

Nathaniel is so very excited to be apart of the Orchestra this year at his school.

He has chosen to play the Violin and as you can see he is over joyed!

We are looking forward to seeing and hearing him grow musically.

I'm a BaSeBaLL pLaYer!!!!

2011-09-11T15:30:00.001-07:00

Today Gabriel began Buddy Baseball!! He was a bit nervous at the beginning but seem to enjoy it. I think he was especially excited about his cheering squad! We were so thankful to Aunt Tiffany, Uncle Bobby and family and Ms. Kim and Sabrina who all came out and spurred him on!!

Hey BaTtER BaTtEr!!! SWWWIIING!

Hey was excited to hit the ball and off to first base...

This is Gabe and his "buddy" Julia

(she is a William & Mary College student volunteer) she was so super sweet!

He was so focused on all of us clapping and cheering him on... he was a bit distracted to get to the next base...lol

Here is Gabe playing second base

His buddy is a great helper!

he is sooo cute!

Here is cheering with us from first base!

so excited!!!

he actually has a great arm and can really throw the ball.

We are all really proud of our little Cardinal!

High 5 for baseball!!

Girlz Nite Out for Autism Awareness!

2011-09-11T15:22:00.000-07:00

We held our first annual Girls Night out for Autism Awareness this past Thursday night.

It was lots of fun...I was blown away by the support of our community. We had many awesome vendors set up display table to sell lots of great things for us girls who love to get out and shop. We were blessed with wonderful support from business in our neighborhood who donated dinners, make up baskets, free pedicures, and edible arrangement gift certificates to raffle off or donated to our team website. We were able to meet lots of wonderful women. A huge benefit was we were able to raise $250. for Autism Speaks. Not bad for our very first time!!!

It is HERE~

2011-09-08T06:29:00.000-07:00

Thank you Jesus!

We rent from the most awesome owners ever!

Our stove exploded 2 weeks ago and with having the hurricane and no power for a week and all that we were having to rely on the crock pot and bar -b - que grill and rice cooker...

SO...tonight! Baked chicken and scalloped potatoes :)

Boys! OH...BOYS!!!

2011-09-08T06:26:00.001-07:00

Sent him to take the trash out and he came back in with this new pet!!!!

AAAHHHHH!!!!

What happen to the days of wanting gold fish???

We are off to a Great School Year!

2011-09-08T06:07:00.000-07:00

The new school year began on Tuesday and the kids were all really excited!

I wish it could be SUMMER all year long but am really excited that God has answered our prayers for great teachers and bus drivers.

Looking forward to watching them all grow this year.

WOW...2 in High School...2 in Jr. High and Nathaniel in his last year of elementary school!

WHERE HAS TIME GONE!!!

Lord Jesus, help me redeem the time we have left with them! Thank you for these treasures you have given to us!

Sophomore year!

Keep your eyes focused on Him who created you and the calling He has given you!

I am blessed by the young women in Christ you are becoming! May you always be a bright shining light for Jesus!

Looking handsome and confident for his first day of High School!

Mr. Cool and Go with the Flow!! Love how calm and at peace Spencer is all the time.

Enjoy your last year in Jr. High!!!

Look who is going to Jr. High!!!

Go Get 'Em Gabe!

God has gone before you and prepared the way!

Nathaniel's teacher told him at orientation "This is your year...You are the Big Dog! Enjoy it"

hahahahha!

May this be a great year for you Nathaniel...next year Jr. High!!! :)

Caleb wanted to get dressed and comb his hair for school too...

He seemed to be fine when I told him he had to be 5 to go to school.

He seem to really miss all the kids (his brothers and sister..as he refers to them..lol)

but only for a short time...as he SOON realized he had the whole house and all the toys to himself! lol

Rev It Up!

2011-09-08T05:50:00.000-07:00

I just had to share this picture.

This is the cake I made for the end of VBS celebration.

Ms. Phyllis had given me jello race car molds and so it was the inspiration to create this!

I think it is really adorable and the most important thing...

THE KIDS LOVED IT!!! :)

Summertime FuN!!

2011-09-08T05:40:00.000-07:00

I love when we get to lay all the busyness of our lives aside and just rest and enjoy the sun!!!

Here are a few pictures of the fun day we had at water day at church. Enjoy!

The snow cone machine has been one of the best purchases the Children's ministry has purchased in a long time...lol

Autism Awareness at the Richmond Diamond Stadium

2011-07-26T17:42:00.000-07:00

Friday night 34 of us BRAVED the extreme heat and went out to support Autism Awareness and saw a baseball game... we all had lots of fun!!!

Me and Bobby....

2011-07-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

So some thing just never get old and some memories are more vivid then others!

I don't know why..it is just the way it is.

So when we were young we use to have this favorite saying and joke at dinner time...who ever could get it out first with out laughing was the winner..lol

Anyways... Tammi would enjoy these next photos and mom would probly think "I know I raised them better then this!" ..so sorry mom...have to do it!

"DO YOU LIKE SEE FOOD??"....

That's my BROTHER!!! lol

hahahaha

Rev It Up! Full Throttle for Jesus!

2011-07-26T17:19:00.000-07:00

VBS started last week!!! YAY...

all the prayer, and preparation as paid off

and it is exciting to see all the kids get so excited about learning about Jesus!

Check out our CCK website to see all the pictures :)

www.wix.com/tomhallman/CalvaryColonialKids

Tailgate Party VBS Kick Off Party!!!

2011-07-26T16:57:00.000-07:00

Last weekend we kicked off the start of our summer VBS and there is no better way to kick off the BIG RACE then a tailgate party :)

We had so much fun all the families came and we bar -b -qued and had lots of great food, worship, and FUN games!!!

IT WAS A BLAST!!!

Me and Nathaniel...love ya lots!!

Me and "Da Girlz!"

Praying...

asking God to bless and be glorified in all that we do through this summer's VBS

and to rule and reign in each of the kids hearts!

They enjoyed the water games :)

Gabe and Dad!!

iWorship starting the party!

Maybe I am having more fun then they are????

lol!

Tiffany, Sabrina and Dest...these GIRLS ROCK!!!

The kids love them and that they are on their team :)

Ms. Kara and Destinee.... GO SPEED RACERS!!!!

Water Day @ CCW

2011-07-22T13:11:00.000-07:00

I love summertime so much!! I love the warm weather, that my kids are home all day and that we get to hang out with the kids at church more often and do fun things and still share about Jesus...here are some pictures of our first water day for the summer! We had lots of fun!

(click on the picture if you want a bigger view of any of them) I am working on uploading all of the pictures from this day to the children's ministry website..so look there soon ;)

Conversation between Destinee and Caleb...

2011-07-22T13:02:00.000-07:00

Caleb: "Destinee where are you going?"

Destinee: "To see a friend."

Caleb: "Can I see your friend?"

Destinee: " No."

Caleb: "I want to see your friend."

Destinee: "Why do you want to see my friend?"

Caleb: "BECAUSE I"M YOUR BROTHER!"

hahahahhaha....

I suppose we have had him since he was 5 weeks old...

he just fits right in with us...that's how God works!!

Getting ready for Vacation Bible School :)

2011-07-22T12:50:00.000-07:00

Here are all our servants for VBS making their team shirts :) I have been blessed with a team that truly ROCKS for Jesus! This is going to be the best race ever!

(Bobby and I above)

Destinee and Ms. Kara and Sabrina ;)

Jenice and Sabrina

Ms. Kim and the youth girls

Ms. Kara and Destinee worked on their "pimped out" shirts for 3 full days!!!!

I say that with a VERY serious face!!!!

Free Slurpee Day

2011-07-13T20:30:00.000-07:00

The kids really love 7/11's Birthday because they benefit with a free slurpee.

This day was especially nice because we went to get them on our way home from church as it was water day for the children's ministry and it was really hot!

Please Pray for Gabriel

2011-07-09T16:00:00.000-07:00

Gabriel has been running 102 fever since Tuesday. He is not sleeping or eating and is only drinking a little bit. Last night we made a trip to the ER as his doctor thought he maybe getting dehydrated or malnutrition and PRAISE JESUS he was not...but they are now treating him with high doses of 2 antibiotics for strep throat and a viral infection rash he has developed on his chin. We are praying that tonight he will get a good night sleep (in his nice and freshly washed sheets and bedding....We are NO LONGER wanting to fellowship with these germs!) and that the medicine will start to kill the sickies and he will wake up feeling better.

I am so thankful that through all these days of having such a high fever Jesus has protected him and held back the seizures!

OUR GOD IS GOOD ALWAYS!

Pictures Papa will love!

2011-07-03T13:45:00.000-07:00

We stopped by the Grave Diggers Dungeon on our way home and it was really cool. He has his whole yard full of his big monster trucks and then the gates open to his work shop or garage so you could look in and see.

It was actually really cool. The boys really loved it!

This is how big the tires are..as Big as Nathaniel!

What can I say???? lol

Really cool!

Destinee didn't think it was all that cool but managed to get her to take a picture ;)

Cape Hatteras Light House

2011-07-03T13:27:00.000-07:00

This was really cool to see...

John tipping over the light house

John holding the light house in his fingers.

He is so crazy!

Serving in Hatteras

2011-07-03T12:59:00.000-07:00

It was a huge blessing to be able to teach and serve the kids for CC Hatteras Island's Mid Service. Mr. Will teaches them every week and does an awesome job with these young "Body Builders." and it was so cool to be able to serve so that he may attend a mid week service which he has not been able to do in over a year. We really enjoyed it. Destinee lead and taught the preschoolers with the help of Spencer and Junior. They taught a really cute story about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. The told the story and then did this really cute skit that the kids loved and then they wanted to act it out too and then made this cute craft and song.

John and I taught the rest of the kids. It was a pretty cool group of 5th graders who all loved the Lord so much and were so eager to hear the word, to pray and to be apart of the things of God.

We did a really cool interactive story about Meshach, Shadrach and Abendigo and their commitment to stand in Faith!

We told the story through crayons and then through body movements and then John drew these cool pictures of the story and we hid them around the house and they had to find them and then put them in order of the story and retell the story. It was lots of fun!

We were BLESSED!

Fried Pickles

2011-07-03T12:50:00.000-07:00

Each day as we drove to the beach we passed this little sandwich shop and their big sign that says "Fried Pickles"...YOU KNOW I HAD TO TRY THEM!!!

We finally stopped in on our last trip to the beach and they were so worth the wait! I LOVE pickles anyways but they were actually really really good.

I went to walmart last night after we got home and did my grocery shopping and got all my ingredients...going to try and make them myself!

Everyone thought i was crazy cause i wanted to try them but after they tried them..they were won over!!!

Fun in the SUN :)

2011-07-02T19:20:00.001-07:00

A week in Hatteras was lots of fun!

We enjoyed our family so much :)

Gabriel did not enjoy the beach as much this time..it was very windy and the waves were big and loud and so he sat this way a lot...lol

Loading Up and Heading Out!

2011-06-26T17:58:00.000-07:00

Here is a picture for my dear friend Ms. P :)

Love family vacations and the thought of a week at the beach...BUT...the packing and loading is OVERWHELMING!!!

But we have successfully fit all 7 of us and all our belonging and food and beach toys for a week!!!

ALL THINGS POSSIBLE WITH JESUS :)

Hahaha..I had all the kids load up so I could pack around them..as you can see they are real excited about that!

Gabriel is not quite sure what is going on...

Only one more boogie board to fit in...CAN WE DO IT?

YES WE CAN!!!!

As you can see...they still had enough room to cozy up and get some comfy rest on the drive up!

We have made it and are looking forward to lots of fun in the sun!!

THANK YOU JESUS for this week away with my husband and kids!

Congratulations Matthew Hallman!

2011-06-20T07:34:00.001-07:00

We were so excited to be able to celebrate with Matthew his High School graduation!

Gabriel's Graduation

2011-06-16T16:59:00.000-07:00

We are so proud of him!

He has grown so much these past 3 years and God is really growing his mind, thoughts and communications..we are so excited!

Me and my Buddy!

Lol..Grace wanted in the photo action...they are cute friends..they really look after each other.

Gabriel's Cheer Squad!

Zayden, Aunt Kristen, Ms. Kim, Caleb, Ms. Jeanne and Aunt Tiff

We are blessed to have such an amazing support from each of them.

Ms. Rhoda giving Gabe his certificate

Grace giving a speech..so cute!

Made me cry through the whole thing.

Gabe and Ms. Carol getting everything ready.

Ms. Carol has been an amazing God sent teacher! She is very supportive and has pushed Gabe to do things beyond my imagination...we truly are blessed by her!

He is so super cute!

Best Friends

He was really excited but everything was a bit overwhelming for him

Gabe and Grace saying "PEACE OUT" ... hahaha

I am so thankful God has given him a friend who understands him and is a great help to him.

They will be going to Jr. High together next year...praying they are in the same class again!

DJ, Gabe and Grace....YOU ROCK!

You have worked very hard and have each grown so much!

Excited to see all that God does in Jr. High

Gabe's already for his big day and waiting for the bus...

2011-06-15T12:00:00.000-07:00

CuPcAkeS for Gabriel's Graduation...

2011-06-14T19:28:00.000-07:00

Had lots of fun making cupcakes for Gabriel's graduation :)

I could not find the graduation hats that i originally wanted for decorations so I found these cute stickers and put them on card stock cut them out and taped them to toothpicks...I think they turned out way adorable!

The cupcakes above are cookies and cream cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and half an Oreo and sprinkle on top.

These cupcakes are chocolate with chocolate buttercream frosting

with Health Toffee crumbs on top.

The sticker on the right that says "Watch out World!" is my favorite..it just speaks so much about all that God has done in Gabe's life and the other's in his class and all that

He has yet do in there lives!

Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and m&m's

Chocolate cupcakes with vanilla buttercream frosting and Reese's pieces

We truly believe in you Gabe and all that you can do

and trust that God will do awesome things in Jr. High next year :)

You ROCK!!!!

You sure did GABE!!!

You have grown so much this past two years and we are so excited and Praise Jesus for providing you with a great school, AMAZING teacher and 2 AWESOME bus driver/aide!!!

Cupcakes for the adults...

chocolate cupcakes with a mocha almond buttercream frosting

and health toffee crumbs on top :)

Junior graduates Jr. High

2011-06-10T14:54:00.001-07:00

Today was Juniors Stepping Up Ceremony. Hard to believe he is going to high school next year. Time just seems to be flying by!

Turning into a super handsome guy!

This was him this morning leaving for school

Sorry John..lol...trying to get a picture of John and I at Juniors school

All the 8th grade students coming...it was packed!!!

Both sides of the gym filled with 8th graders!

It is probably the emotional mom in me..but! I just thought it was so sweet that Spencer got to play in the band for Juniors ceremony. He was bored, but i thought it was really cool!

He made it! lol

Congratulations Junior..We love you and are very proud of you!

We are proud parents!

Blessed by the amazing kids God has given us!

Dear Friends!

2011-06-10T14:45:00.000-07:00

My special friend Tatiana(and her Fiance Jan) came to visit her sister Jana (they are from Slovakia). It has been a year since she has visited. I so enjoy our time together and thank Jesus we were able to fit in some time to have lunch together before she left yesterday.

We really enjoyed having them over for lunch (we also had Jana, Emma and baby Julia over too..lots of fun) Please pray for them as they plan for their wedding and for God to open up an opportunity for them to move to Virginia :)

Thanks my friend for the special European haircut!

Can't wait till next year haircut ;)

What being stuck in the house with Strep throat for a week looks like....

2011-06-10T14:40:00.000-07:00

HaHaHaHa!!!

Seriously we were getting kinda stir crazy the last few days of recovering from Gabriel's strep throat. So we had to get creative about making ourselves laugh!

Nathaniel's Science Field Day

2011-05-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

Friday Nathaniel's class along with the other 3 fourth grade classes enjoyed a day at the park, having fun with science!

John and I went along and made food(I was so sick of hot dogs and hamburgers by the time we were done) and served the kids lunch.

It was lots of fun!

Here is Nathaniel and his best friend Riley

Nathaniel's teacher Ms. Beatty

Dinner Time!

2011-05-28T19:49:00.000-07:00

John was so impressed by the dinner plate I served him tonight...he said you have to take a picture and blog this "Real Mexican Food in Virginia"! lol

I felt like I cooked and baked all day today but it was worth it :) I so enjoy it, especially when John and the kids enjoy it!

Made Beans, Cilantro Lime Rice and Green Chile Shredded Beef!

5 Dozen of Cupcakes :)

2011-05-28T19:34:00.001-07:00

The cupcakes above our my take of an "Almond Joy" candy bar turned into a cupcake. Destinee asked me to try..hopefully she will approve!

They are Chocolate Cupcakes with an Almond Buttercream Frosting then sprinkled with Coconut and topped with a mini Almond Joy.

They turned out so pretty :)

These are Chocolate Cupcakes with the Espresso Buttercream Frosting with Chocolate Sprinkles...my flash really made the picture look yellow for some weird reason!

The cupcakes were super moist and this is John and Tiff's favorite frosting ;)

HeY bAtTeR bAtTeR!!!

2011-05-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

Loving the warm weather so we can get outside and have some fun and burn off some energy.

Tiff, Dest, Gabe and I went to the DollarTree and Gabe picked out this baseball bat and ball and so when we got home, we played outside for a few minutes. It was 89 degrees today so we could only keep him outside for about 15 minutes but it was long enough for him!

I think he had lots of fun!

Baking with Tiff ;)

2011-05-23T07:35:00.001-07:00

Tiff and I made cupcakes last night...we just made vanilla cupcake batter and then divided it and put mini chocolate chips in one and mini Reese's pieces and then made vanilla frosting and topped them with the chocolate chips. We had a lot of fun...Tiff said cupcakes from scratch is too much for her, she will stick to Betty Crocker! lol

She''ll come around and I will win her over...hahahaha

I was washing out a bowl and turned around and there was Tiff and Gabe in the cake batter! His hands and face were covered! I asked him if he liked it and he said "it's AAMAAZING!" lol

Here are our creations!

More Than A Movie - Bug's Life

2011-05-23T07:12:00.000-07:00

We hold this event called "More Than A Movie" once a month at church for the kids and their families and it also gives the kids a great opportunity to invite their friends to come to church with them! SO last month we did "101 Dalmatians" and this month we did "Bug's Life" and it was lots of fun. Jenice hung green grass skirts and crepe paper so the kids and families felt like they were walking through the grass. Kristen found some really cute bug masks at Target and they were adorable. The whole evening was a BLAST and it was cool to see how God can allow you to invite kids to church for a movie and be able to turn back and teach a Truth about God or about who God has created them to be! This month we were able to teach them just as the ants were being bullied by the big grasshoppers and yet they did great heroic things to save their colony. So too has God given GREAT POWER to even the smallest child to do great and Mighty things for Him!

Destinee, Me and Nathaniel

Me & Tiff...lol!!!

I just know she loves spending the weekend with me!!!

Me, Dest, Nathaniel, Jenice and Caleb trying the grass out before everyone arrived

We divided the families up and each one had to choose a bug to act out...we choose to be a caterpillar..I think we ROCKED it :)

I made these cute bags of "sticks in grass" (Pretzels in green shredded tissue paper)

for snack during the movie! Thanks John for your help :)

Jenice made ant hills covered in grass with crawling bugs on top!!

A Really fun night!!!

Now for next month...hmmm.which movie???

Thinking maybe Beauty in the Beast or maybe Toy Story ;)

Simply Sweet!

2011-05-20T11:44:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I think we over complicate and over "fluff" things and so today I was reminded that sometimes the "simply things" in life can be very sweet!

These are my vanilla cupcakes with vanilla butterceam frosting and sprinkle for fun :)

They are so cute!!

John said they taste like sugar cookies and really enjoyed them...let's see what the kids think when they get home :)

As you can see I finally got my frosting recipe right and figured out what little tip to use in my frosting bag!!! YAY!!!

Having lots of fun...think my mom and aunt Addie would be very proud of me! They use to make some awesome cakes :) The best part of making my own cupcakes and frosting is that i can now stick my finger in it and lick with out them getting mad! lol

Some temptations don't go away :)

More Cupcakes!!

2011-05-17T16:37:00.001-07:00

Here is my cupcake that I made today. This is a cupcake for the coffee lover!

Mocha Chocolate Cupcake with Espresso Buttercream Frosting...

John says these cupcakes were out of this world..he LOVED them!

As you can see this frosting recipe was much better then the other frosting I made last week :)

Having lots of fun making these cupcakes all from scratch...the flavors are so creative..why do we buy and make the same whole box of cake???

Which will be the next the flavor to come????

If you area coffee lover and you want a cupcake to go with your next cup...here is the recipe :)

Mocha Cupcakes

Yield: 12 cupcakes

Prep Time: 15 minutes Baking Time: 17-20 minutes

1-1/3 all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon salt
½ cup whole milk
½ cup strong brewed coffee
1½ teaspoons espresso powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
1 egg, at room temperature

1. Mix the espresso powder into the brewed coffee until dissolved; set aside to cool to room temperature.

2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard-size muffin tin with paper liners.

3. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

4. Beat the butter and both sugars together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until combined. In a measuring cup, combine the milk, brewed coffee mixture and vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixture, alternating with the coffee mixture, ending with the flour mixture.

5. Divide the batter evenly between the 12 liners. Baking for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting cupcakes.

(Cupcake recipe adapted from My Baking Addiction)

Espresso Buttercream Frosting

Makes enough to frost 12 cupcakes

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2½ cups powdered sugar
1½ teaspoons vanilla extract
1½ teaspoons espresso powder

1. Mix the espresso powder into the vanilla until dissolved; set aside.

2. Using the whisk attachment of a stand mixer, whip the butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes, stopping once to scrape the sides of the bowl. Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the powdered sugar a little at a time, waiting until it is mostly incorporated before adding more. Once all of the powdered sugar has been added, scrape the sides of the bowl and increase the speed to medium-high and whip until fluffy, about a minute or two. Add the espresso and vanilla mixture and continue to mix at medium-high until it is completely incorporated, scraping the sides as necessary.

ENJOY!

Cupcakes :)

2011-05-16T08:15:00.000-07:00

My new thing lately are cupcakes...so I am on a new adventure of learning to make them from scratch. So Saturday...Nathaniel and I spent 3 and half (SERIOUSLY) hours making these cupcakes! They are Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Cupcakes with Cookie Dough Frosting.

They were actually pretty good! I need to get the frosting a little thicker but they really did taste like cookie dough! Nathaniel and I had so much fun :)

He is so funny we were making the cookie dough filling and he was reading the ingredients on the side of the Sweeten Condensed Milk can and he says to me

"WOW...what kinda of dumb nut wouldn't know this contains milk?"

lol!!!!! I just love kids!!!!!

Thanks Salsy...had a great time baking with you...can't wait for the next ones ;)

Gabriel..AKA..."Cat Wrangler"

2011-05-16T08:07:00.000-07:00

Here is the "Cat Wrangler" and one of Destinee's little kittens (notice..they still have no names) Gabriel is in LOVE with these kittens...however, he has not caught on that he can not hold and pick them up all the time. He is fixed on picking them up and putting them on his shoulder and expecting them to sit and stay there??? The poor kittens they scratch Gabe all over the place...his face was scratched up last week and now yesterday they scratched his one hand and arm all up and he was bleeding and still just holding on for dear life to the poor kitty. I am praying that he will realize that all these scratches are dangerous and forget this obsession for holding them...I love when he comes down and says "I put your cats in the cage" and the first time I was like "WHAT" and Destinee says to me " He puts them in their cat box!"

Hahaha..he is really kinda funny!

The other day he came down the stairs and this is how he managed to capture the one kitten!

Photo Shoot...

2011-05-11T08:33:00.000-07:00

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-09T16:42:00.001-07:00

Love my kids for giving me this Ice Tea Maker!!! It makes the BEST pot of ice cold tea in matter of minutes!! Spencer and I wasted NO TIME testing it out!!!

Thanks guys..I love you more then you will ever know... I am BLESSED beyond words to have you for kids :)

Destinee's New Babies...

2011-05-09T16:37:00.000-07:00

Here are a couple pictures of Destinee's new little additions to our household! They are just so adorable...and lots of fun!

They are brothers...and they need names...any suggestions???

She was calling them Buzz and Woody, but doesn't know if they look like Buzz and Woody...

What do you all think?

Oh Cyrenity!!!

2011-05-09T15:57:00.001-07:00

Downloaded the 100 pictures Cyrenity took with my camera last weekend while I was over their house....she cracks me up!! Especially all the pictures she took of herself!!! Anyways, here are a few pictures from the eyes of my niece....guess we are gonna have to get her a camera of her own for Christmas! She actually pretty good :)

Tiff being silly...

Nathaniel

I don't know..just roll with it ... hahahha

Now do a nice picture Aunt Heidi....Much better ...hahaha she is so funny!

They call me "Spencer...E Spencer E"... love him!

This is actually a really cute picture!

Hey after an hour of posing...I had nothing left!!! lol

OH Cyrenity!!!

CHEEEESE!!!!

"WHAT UP"

"Would you still love me if my eyes where stuck like this forever????" lol

Tiff

Bobby

I love this face!!!!

John and I...xoxoxo

GET OUT OF OUR PICTURE UNCLE JOHN!!! lol

So funny...and a great way to keep her busy for an hour!!!!! Wish I could show you all 100 but even I don't have that much time to download them all! lol

Destinee News!!!

2011-04-30T12:24:00.001-07:00

Destinee just opened up her very own checking account!!! I know....she is getting too old :(

John and I are so very proud of her though! She is such an amazing young girl!

This is a big year for US...oh I mean HER!!! lol

She will be getting her drivers permit next month and turning 16 in Nov.

Where is the PAUSE button???

Please continue to pray for her. She is in her last 2 months of her freshmen year and has some serious hard classes and she wants to finish with straight A's as she always has.

She also has caught a bad cold yesterday so please pray for speedy healing!

Dest, we are proud of you!

Trusting in you to be wise and a good steward with the

new checking account and all that God provides you with!

Gabe and I

2011-04-30T12:22:00.000-07:00

I just love when I am able to catch a cute picture with Gabe and when he is willing to sit and then top it off he is so happy in this picture!!

Joyce Meyers Conference

2011-04-29T20:57:00.000-07:00

Tiff and I

Tiff, Me & Desiree

Me & Des

Last night and tonight (didn't get pictures from tonight though...6 of us went tonight...bummer missed the picture) went to the Joyce Meyers Conference. It was the first time I had ever seen or heard her. Tiff and Desiree love her, so it was fun to go with them. She spoke on Discipline and Self Control and was a good encourager. The worship team (The Fuse) was amazing!!

John and I...

2011-04-29T20:48:00.000-07:00

2011-04-20T08:07:00.001-07:00

Project Touch - April 2011

2011-04-10T20:27:00.000-07:00

Priya Krishnan, a high school junior is an amazing young girl, along with her sister. They have spent the past 4 years fundraising in order to be able to provide 50 iPod touches to 50 autistic children. Gabriel was nominated and we are humbled to say that he was chosen as one of the 50 kids to receive one of iPod touches! Today we were able to attend an award ceremony were Priya personally handed out them to each of the kids and then had therapists on hand to set up and teach us all the cool things that can be downloaded to help children with the daily struggles associated with Autism.

Here is John and Gabe at the ceremony :)

This is the gift above that Gabriel received from Priya.

This is going to be an awesome tool for Gabriel...Ms. Carol and his speech therapists at school are very excited about this!!

we have downloaded some free apps to help Gabriel...such as...iComm, a program that he can tap to help him express his needs or wants...AutismXpress which will help him to tap on a face picture to explain his feelings...Letters Like which is the alphabets flashcards...Visuo Timer which is a timer to help him transition...there are so many awesome apps that I can't wait to download and get him started on!!

Love my Family...Completely BLESSED!!!

2011-04-10T20:25:00.001-07:00

A Great Movie!

2011-04-10T20:14:00.001-07:00

Friday night the youth group went to see Soul Surfer and so I tagged along ;) and it was such a great movie...a total family movie. A movie with lots of inspiration and a great reminder that "With God ALL things are possible!"

Junior is so funny!!!!

Sabrina, Destinee and McKenzie

Noah, Shyvon, John, Junior and Spencer

Pastor Keith and CCW's amazing group of junior and high school kids!!!

Love them all!!

Beautiful Day at Waller Mill Park

2011-04-10T19:40:00.000-07:00

This past week we have experienced some really pretty weather and so we headed out to

Waller Mill Park and enjoyed the day!

I love this picture above...we walked the mile trail...here is Nathaniel leading the pack, followed by Caleb, Gabe and Spencer..so cute!

Spring is so pretty..all the trees getting there leaves and the tulips and flowers are starting to sprout...Amazing the beauty of God's creations!

My men minus 1... (Junior spent the weekend with some friends...actually so did Destinee)

We had a great day!

Nathaniel exploring Nature ;)

Spencer

Gabriel