Val Kilmer was my favorite until now...

** Disclaimer: If you didn't want to know one of the gifts our nephew Drew is getting for his birthday, you probably shouldn't have checked this blog today. **

I think we're going to have to invest in one of these. There's nothing like giving a slightly used toy for a birthday present. Sorry, Brenda, but it kept Kaylee occupied until lunchtime!

Mmmm.... Brownies

I called my friend Kim the other morning. The converstion went something like this:

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Me: Do you have a recipe for brownies?

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Kim: Um, go to the store, buy a brownie mix, bring it home, make it.

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Me: Hmmm, that sounds a lot like the recipe I have...

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Well, going to the store wasn't going to work for me that morning, so Kim suggested I try www.allrecipes.com. I did, and I found the best recipe for brownies. I had to share it with you all. They are rich and fudgy and oh-so-good. If I can make brownies from scratch, you can too. Trust me.

These Kids Are Too Cute

Weary Travellers

Yeah, yeah, I'm still here. My absence from the blogging world has been due to two things: my lack of being at home for the last week and my busyness since returning home on Sunday. The girls and I spent last week at my dad and mom's house, and we had a good visit. We got to spend some time with my grandma, who got out of the hospital on Sunday, praise the Lord! She is doing better, and I know my grandpa is glad to have her home. That is a really big answer to prayer.

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Chris met us in Kansas City on Saturday to see the Backyardigans Live show. Chris's mom, dad, sister, brother-in-law, and their 2 kids came down for the big show too. The kids really enjoyed it, and then we stayed overnight in St. Joe with the fam. We had a good time swimming and just hanging out. But, let me tell ya, it feels good to be home. The laundry, dishes, and dust have built up in my absence, but I don't mind. Waking up next to my husband in the morning is worth it.

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And... last but certainly not least... my sister is getting married! Congratulations to Marla and Jeremy. They got engaged last Saturday. No date has been set yet, but we're looking forward to spending some time on the East Coast for the big celebration!

Updates

You know, sometimes I'm in a blogging mood, and sometimes I'm not. I have not been this week, but it isn't for lack of things going on. In fact, we've been incredibly busy lately. Let me update you...

*** My grandma's in the hospital. To keep it short, she has a bowel obstruction that is making her very sick. She's fighting a massive infection and is really agitated and confused right now. Please pray for her. The girls and I are probably going to head down to Kansas to see her next week. Chris will meet us in KC the next Saturday to go see "The Backyardigans Live!" and we'll ride back home with him then.

*** Lauryn's birthday is tomorrow! I can't believe my baby's going to be a year old. Time truly does fly. I turned her car seat around this afternoon and am looking forward to her reaction tonight when we drive to church.

*** We recently got a swing set for FREE from a guy Chris was working for (you could call it Lauryn's birthday present). That's exciting, people. It needed new swings. I just happened to see brand new swings at a garage sale the day before. I stopped back by. She still had them. I got two new swings for $10 total. That's exciting too.

*** I hosted a Tastefully Simple party at my house last night for my neighbor. If my upstairs hasn't been sparkling clean before, let me tell you, it was last night. It lasted for about 10 hours, until my kids got up.

It feels like there must be more, but that's all I can come up with right now. If you think of us, say a little prayer because we'll be doing lots of travelling in the next week.

Just life...

Nothing too exciting to blog about, so I'll just share a few pictures. Enjoy!

The Excitement Builds...

I hope everyone will be watching the Republican National Convention tonight for the big speech. Sarah Palin is great and is, in my opinion, the perfect VP pick for John McCain. I don't think I've watched FOX news this much in the last three years.