Jonathan's Birthday Suit

I knew that would get your attention! Our son, Jonathan ,sent us this picture of his new suit. For his birthday last month, both us and his grandparents gave him some money towards buying his first "nice" suit, since he will soon be heading out to make his way in the world. He did clean up rather nicely:) Our Jon is on the right, and his best friend, also Jonathan Edwards, is on the left.As soon as my son-in-law sends me the pictures from our day in Memphis I will post them. He took some beautiful pictures of Gabriel in the pool with his Grandpa. While all the men swam, the girls and I went and shopped. Chelsea blessed both Katie and I with gift certificates to her store, so I now have a beautiful set of cloth placemats and napkins that I just love! We went to a French creperie...incredibly good. It is so nice to be able to spend the day with "friends" and not to have to be continually teaching life lessons:) They are both such lovely women, wives, and Katie, now a mother. It was wonderful to just be able to laugh and enjoy them.

Life With Little Boys

Today was the last day of basketball camp for the boys. They were thrilled with their new t-shirts and basketballs. When I arrived for their skill demonstration , there were still 8 children left in the competition. It got down to two--a boy named Daniel and Jordan. I prayed so hard that Jordan would win. He has had such a hard time this year with Christian picking up the reading and spelling so easily, that I really wanted him to feel like he was able to excel in something. God is so good...Jordan won. And, being Jordan, hasn't mentioned it since, but has had that little bit of extra confidence all evening. Basketball camp was worth every penny. Tonight we took them to see "Cars". It was wonderful! There was even a little Fiat 500 and "Ape" that both spoke Italian. We really enjoy the small town theater...popcorn, drink, candy and admission for $5 on family night. We head to Memphis tomorrow afternoon to spend time with the girls and their husbands. Jon just called and said he might be able to join us. Having time together as a family is something to really look forward to.Hope everyone's weekend is a good one.Seeing the little three wheeled car in "Cars" made me think of this ice cream cart in Italy.I'll be eating gelato in only two weeks!!

Sheri's Care Package

My friend, Sheri, called today to tell me I had a care package on the way. This is no ordinary care package...this one contains her famous yeast rolls! In her spare time- when she's not homeschooling her five children- she has had a very successful home business selling her baked goods. Though I was thrilled to hear of her gift, I was even more thrilled to have a chance to visit with her by phone. God brought Sheri into my life many years ago (Spring semester 1986) when she was one of my husbands students in Florence, Italy. Twenty years later we have shared many discussions on children (my six, her five), adoption, homeschooling, missions, and our callings as keepers of the home. Her visits are always such an encouragement to me. She is a loving wife and Mother, and because of her, this world will soon be blessed with five young men and women who will love the Lord with all their hearts, souls and minds. So, thank you, Sheri, for the example you set. And I'll let you know if the rolls were any good or not...I just might need to sample a wider variety! P.S. Jon called me last night and was wanting to make some cookies to snack on. The no-bake chocolate cookies were his favorite to make in high school so he was needing the recipe..thus the post:)

Quick Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies

2 cups sugar 1/2 cup peanut butter
2 Tbsp. cocoa 3 cups rolled oats (dry measure)
1/2 cup milk 1 tsp. vanilla
1 stick butter (1/2 cup)

Mix sugar, cocoa, milk, and butter in saucepan. Stir over heat until mixture comes to a boil. Boil 1 minute. Remove from heat and quickly add peanut butter, oats and vanilla. Stir until all ingredients are mixed and drop quickly onto waxed paper. Cool. Makes about 3 dozen.


Speedy Cheesecake

Group 1:
1 1/4 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup butter

Group 2:
1 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese (softened)
1/2 cup sugar
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1/2 tsp. vanilla
dash salt
2 eggs

Group 3:
1 cup dairy sour cream
2 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla

Directions:
Group 1:
Combine crumbs and butter; press into buttered 8 inch pie plate

Group 2:
Beat cream cheese until fluffy, gradually blend in sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and salt. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each. Pour filling into crumb crust. Bake in slow oven (325) for 25-30 minutes or until set.

Group 3:
Combine sour cream, sugar and vanilla. Spoon over top of pie. Bake 10 minutes longer. Chill several hours.

Both of these recipes are from the old Harding cookbook (the red one ) which has many wonderful recipes. Buon Appetito!

Stitches of Love

My favorite memories of my Mother all seem to involve sewing. I remember sitting and watching her as she sewed me beautiful outfits as a child. My sisters and I always had coordinated Easter dresses. She sewed ballet costumes each year for the recital in exchange for ballet lessons for my sisters and I. She sewed beautiful clothes for my little girls with smocking and lace inserts. In the later years she sewed amazing quilts for each of her grandchildren. I knew each special item was stitched with much love. Today I was flooded with memories as I spent my day sewing little rompers for my grandson. He looks adorable no matter what he wears, but he will look especially adorable in his new romper with puppy dog buttons! And with each stitch I took I said a prayer for this precious child , that he will grow to be a man of God...and always know how very loved he is by his Grandma.

The Blessings of a New Little One

We just returned home from a wonderful weekend away. The fellowship with our friends and former fellow workers in Italy was so special. I only wish we could have spent more time singing together in Italian. We enjoyed time together over at our son's house, where he had baked us brownies and ice cream. It brings me great joy to see my children opening up their homes to friends and family and showing hospitality. Our time together with Tim and Katie was so special, as it always is. They go out of their way to be thoughtful and make everyone comfortable. They gave us the ultimate gift this weekend, with the news that they are expecting their second child in February! The whole family is so excited. God has seen what wonderful parents they are and couldn't wait a moment longer to bless them again. Gabriel should be about 14 months when his brother or sister arrives.We missed Justin and Chelsea this weekend but he just began teaching a bible class on Sunday mornings so they needed to be there. We are so happy that they have found a congregation which they love and have made some new friends with some other young couples there. So, with Chelsea's graduation in August, Jon's in December, Brandon's move to Italy in January and a new baby in January..the year seems to be shaping up into a busy one. How blessed we are.

Italian Reunion

We're heading to Searcy this evening, when Terry finishes teaching, for the reunion of former missionaries to Italy. I'm really looking forward to seeing some of the older couples that meant so much to me during our early days on the field. Several have had health issues in the past several years. Doris Bybee, Carolyn Moore, Joyce Shackelford, and Frankie Mitchell--just to name a few-- were such beautiful examples of Titus 2 women. My Italian language skills were awful, I had four children under age five, and was thousands of miles away from my family. I'm sure there were many times when they bit their tongue or rolled their eyes that I will never know about! I knew that the one thing that bound us together with our various ages, life experiences, etc., was our love for those Italians that were lost. The Italians are such a warm and generous people, and it still grieves me that Miranda and Antonio, Renata and Lorenzo, Anna, Antonio, Mario, the Bigliotti's- just to name a few- do not have a relationship with our Lord. I love the hills of Tuscany, the slower pace of life, strolling through the weekly market. But what really calls me back is these dear friends that I long to share eternity with.