I've published my first children's book

Check it out:

http://www.blurb.com/user/fletchers6?profile_preview=true

Cinnamon Rolls

Here is my recipe for yummy cinnamon rolls. I mix the dough around dinnertime the night before, let it rise 2 hours in a warm spot, and form the rolls. Then I cover them with plastic wrap and put them in the refrigerator until the next morning. That way it only takes 22 minutes to bake, and they're ready.

Dough:
1 c. white flour
3 c. whole wheat flour (I think you could do 4 c. whole wheat--they're a little denser that way)
2 c. warm water
1 1/2 Tbsp. yeast (or 1 package)
1 Tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt

That's it! This is also my recipe for dinner rolls--so easy. So I let the dough rise in a warm spot after kneading/mixing until well mixed. When risen, I use a knife to divide the dough in 4--each of these quarter will make 3 rolls. Sometimes if the dough is super sticky, I use a little more flour. I melt 1 stick of butter in one bowl, and put about 1 cup of sugar (sometimes more) with a bunch of cinnamon--enough to make it really dark cinnamony sugar--in a second bowl. Then I take one roll portion (remember, it will make 12) and pull the dough into a long snake, as long as I can. I dip this in the melted butter, put one side and then the other side in the cinnamon sugar bowl to cover, and roll it up. I put it in a greased 9 x 13 glass pan, and then do another...until it's done. You can see the photo to see what it looks like. I sometimes need more butter or cinnamon sugar to finish. Sometimes I have leftovers, so I just pour/sprinkle that over too. My family likes walnuts or pecans, so I press/sprinkle nuts at this point, making sure to push some into each roll. You could do this with raisins, chocolate chips, or anything you want to add too. I cover this with plastic wrap and put in the refrigerator.

The next morning, preheat the oven to 375 and bake for about 22 minutes--until golden brown. Enjoy!

Fun Family Photos

Lily finally lost another tooth--it was dangling for the longest time. She woke up one morning and it was stuck to her shoulder! What a cutie.

Hanna is quite the seamstress! She sewed this coat for her doll all by herself. She just walked up to me and said, "I just sewed this!" She LOVES to sew.
A cuddly moment.
Trey was in his Lightning McQueen outfit and then changed to this one. He's working on his "car" here (the box--it's got a lot of gadgets, clothespins, buttons, a birthday blower...).Wonder where he gets this from? My husband informed me today that we've owned 15 cars/trucks/jeeps in our 18 years together! This does not include motorcycles...

My Confession

Sometimes I wake up the next day, and it's all clear to me. It's as if the Lord wipes away the distractions and sets me straight before another day hits.

Yesterday was Carl's 40th birthday. It was fantastic--really great! But here's my confession...I pulled a Martha. In Luke 10:38-42, Jesus hangs with his friends Martha and Mary. Martha welcomes Jesus into her house and is "distracted with much serving." Jesus doesn't support this because he says, "Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary." What was that? What Mary was doing. She "sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching." Yesterday I skipped that part.

There was so much to do and so little time. I needed to make sure it all got done while Carl wasn't here (that's when I usually have a quiet time of reading the Bible and praying--during nap time). So I plowed ahead and never got the crucial time of quiet stillness at the feet of my Lord. And believe me, it showed.

It may not have been obvious to others, but in my heart I was full of worry and anxiety, and I lacked grace. It makes me feel edgy, unsettled, and my tongue gets sharp. I hope and pray I didn't offend by my attitude, but I did sin against my Father, who reminded me today that "one thing is necessary...the good portion, which will not be taken away." I also hurt myself by not enjoying the joy and peace He offers through His Spirit in me amidst the most busy and chaotic times.

But "today is a new day," as my mother would say, "with new opportunities to serve the Lord with gladness." And today I will sit at his feet first!

In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will--to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. Ephesians 1:4-6

Check this out--

http://downloads.cbn.com/cbnplayer/cbnPlayer.swf?s=/vod/MW131v2_WS

Valentines, Opa and Oma visit, and Trey is 5!

Here are my cute little Valentines!

Lily is ready for ballet--thanks Hanna for helping and teaching her.

Oma showed how to make her famous Mocha Creme Torte.

Opa read with Trey and Lil.
Opa and our 4 went ice skating together.
Trey's castle birthday cake


Party time--we had a cardboard castle, pinned the sword in the knight's hand, and threw the big, silver ball into the dragon's flames. We also decorated our own crowns, shields, and swords.

Bryce, Trinity, Caleb, Cannon, Trey, Lily, Lydia, and Jackson

Such a happy birthday boy!
Carl and I slipped away to attend Thomas and Nicki's reception.

We ended the day with watching home videos from when Trey was born.