We have him working!

Another worker bee grandchild.

Sopapilla Cheesecake

Oh.my.goodness.  I made this this morning for my prayer group.  (Of course we don't just pray!  We meet, eat, and catch up.  Then...we pray.)  I promise you...I could have eaten THIS WHOLE THING all by myself!  I knew I didn't need the 5/6 remaining at my house, so I took it to work to share with all our great volunteers.  I had another piece (or 2) for lunch.  Just looking at the picture makes me want to run back up there and get the remaining 4 pieces in the Living Water fridge and bring them home and eat them!    I know most of you already pinterest and have probably pinned this to your board.  But for those who don't, you must make this!!  Every woman at Living Water asked for the recipe and said they were making it this week.  Did I tell you it's YUMMY?????

Sopapilla Cheesecake

Ingredients:
-2 cans pillsbury butter crescent rolls
-2 (8oz) packages cream cheese (softened)
-1 cup sugar
-1 teaspoon vanilla
-1/4 cup butter (melted)
-Cinnamon & sugar

Instructions: 
Unroll and spread 1 can crescent rolls on bottom of un-greased 9x13 pan. Combine softened cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla. Spread mixture over crescent rolls. Unroll and spread remaining crescent rolls over mixture. Spread melted butter over the top and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes.

Little Worker Bees...or not?

As you know, I went to visit Zach & Shanna this past week and to help out with 2 little boys.  Mostly, I entertained the 18-month-old Dax while Shanna took care of baby Gus and Zach got used to a new job.  Of course, I got my hands on baby Gus plenty of times and kissed those fat cheeks.

I learned pretty quickly that Dax is indeed enamored with his mommy's broom.  It's one of the new words he's saying that you can understand pretty clearly (that and "outside").  Anytime the broom comes out, he wants a turn.  He's really cute with it!  So he and I made a trip to Target with one goal clearly in mind:  to get Dax his own child-sized broom.  Easy task, right?

Wrong.  I went down all the toy aisles looking for a child's broom.  Nothing.  I went to the adult broom section to see if there was a short broom.  None.  So I gave up in Target.  The next day, we were making a Wal-Mart run anyway, so I decided to check out the toy section there for a broom.  Nada.  In fact, it occurred to me that there were NO "working toys."  I didn't find a vacuum, iron/ironing board or any cleaning/working toys.  Really?   At first I thought it was pretty funny.  But then it made me think.  Is it really a reflection of our society that we're not teaching our children to help out at home and work?  Are they all being taught to be princesses and super heroes (the main toys in the toy section) without any responsibility?

Fear not.  I found a child's broom online.  We're going to encourage that little guy to sweep!  After all...Cinderella knew how to work before she became a princess.

Lubbock Trip

I came home yesterday after spending a few days in Lubbock.  I was anxious to get to meet Gus!  He's such a cutie. 

He looks a lot like his big brother, Dax.  But totally different.

This was the first morning I was there.  Dax's first act of the morning was to tell "baby" good morning!  (This picture reminds me so much of one of Matt looking at baby Amy for the first time!)

This was Gus on his way to see the doctor to get his foot pricked.  He was such a good baby!

I was thrilled to get to watch Lissa come and take the new family photos.  And of course, pics of Gus.

Lissa has such great ideas for family photo shoots.  I just got to tag along and kill ants and stand on my head so Dax would smile.  You can see how successful I was! ha!

While I was there, Dax wanted me to go outside with him all day every day.  He LOVES being outdoors.  And he especially likes walking to Michael & Heather Murry's house next door.  He wanted to ring the doorbell to see if they were home....but couldn't reach it.

Gus sleeps and eats.

Dax was chillin' on his pillow pet.

Gus even opened his eyes occasionally to give us a good look at him!

I couldn't believe that Shanna went outside and buried some stepping stones.  But it gave Dax a great opportunity to dig in the dirt...outside.

This is the new family in front of their house--which is for sale, by the way.  If you need a nice 3 bedroom house in Lubbock, let us know!

Dax digging in the dirt.  You can hear Gus hiccuping in the background!

Dax Meets Gus

This is the special moment when Dax meets baby Gus!  

So cute!!  And we're so glad he's home.

Thank you for praying.

Mondays with My Old Pastor By José Navajo

I cannot say enough about this book, Mondays with My Old Pastor by Jose Navajo.  I wish I could put it in the hands of every believer...but especially in the hands of every minister.  Jose is a gifted writer.  But his story is amazing.  I actually chose this book because its description said, "A totally burned-out young preacher reignites his faith and gathers wisdom for life while spending successive Mondays with an eighty-three-year-old pastor."  That intrigued me.  It not only intrigued me, but I was feeling discouraged and thought it might speak to me.

Jose asks questions of his pastor that I think we have all asked ourselves (at least) at some point.  And his wise pastor has refreshing answers.  And...his pastor loves to tell stories!  So he gives Jose answers with stories to illustrate his point.  His pastor and his wife have a very loving relationship which serves as an example to all of the things he's telling Jose.  He reminds Jose that his marriage is his greatest ministry to his church--and to preserve it at all cost.

There are 15 major points that the pastor makes to his protege.  Fifteen great points.  Through the chapters, you see the transformation all of this is making in Jose's life.  But not only did I see the difference it was making in Jose's life, I saw a change in my attitude and outlook.

I could not put this book down!!  I read it in one sitting one evening.  It was refreshing to my soul.  But about three-fourths of the way through the book, I had a need to begin underlining the things that were sticking out to me...but I didn't.  I purposed to re-read the book...slowly...and underline then.  This book is a keeper.  I will put it on my bookshelf and read it again and again.  Thank you, Jose Navajo, for putting your journal in book form.  I give this book 10 out of 5 stars.  (Yes, it 's that good!)

Thank you to Book Sneeze for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Redemption

Today, I'm sending you over to my friends' blog.  You may be walking through something really hard.  And I want you to know that GOD IS ABLE!  Just go read Jody & Julie's blog and be encouraged.  I love their honesty and transparency.  Thank you, Jody & Julie!

UNFAILING LOVE AND FULL REDEMPTION

August Cohen Dietz...or "Gus"

 August (Gus) Cohen Dietz was born Tuesday, August 7.  He weighed 6 lbs. and 8 oz.

Our first thought when we saw him was that he looked just like his big brother, Dax.

But after he was cleaned up, we realized he didn't have Dax's red hair (which Dax had at birth)...but he's his own little man with dark hair.  He's so handsome!  And we're so excited about him.

Please be praying.  Gus was taken pretty quickly to NICU because his oxygen level wasn't where it needed to be.  They began testing for bacteria which he apparently has.  Today, he was put under the bili light because he's also jaundiced.  Please pray that God heals him quickly and that he and mom are able to go home together!!  I can't wait to hold him.
(This is grandbaby #10 for us.  Gus evened us out--we have 5 girls and 5 boys!)

Vain Obsession

Have you ever gotten tired of your profile picture and decided to take your own photo?  Well, I did tonight.  It's not that I thought I look better--at all.  I just have always judged people who hang on to their old photos to make themselves look younger or feel better about themselves.  Yep....judged.  That's not pretty.  And neither are these photos!  (You know...the whole judge not lest you be judged thing going on here for your own personal observation.)  I wish I hadn't deleted all those other photos that were really bad--I'd show them to you.  I couldn't find the right lighting.  The bad lighting was showing off all my wrinkles on my neck.  And the bad lighting was making it look like I wasn't wearing any make-up.

This was one of the first.

It didn't get much better.  (Is that lip gloss glopped on my lips?)  Funny story:  I remember when Amy was about 6-years-old.  We were in the car with my parents and Amy was sitting directly behind my dad...without a seat belt or car seat, I might add.  She'd been staring at the back of his neck a little too long.  And then she piped up, "Papa...why are there kites on your neck?"  We all looked at her like she'd gone crazy.  Kites???  But when I looked, I died laughing.  The wrinkles on the back of his neck were in the shape of a kite.  We were all rolling!

And here I'm trying to hide the "kites" on my neck.  And my grandkids are asking me about my wrinkles.  And telling me that they think I'll die soon.  It's hysterical!!  I told a friend this week that you sure need a good self-image before you have grandchildren.  They point out the obvious to you.  But, like my dad, I think it's pretty funny.

All I wanted to do was put up a new profile pic on Facebook.  I even clicked to only post it to me--thinking the large photo (don't you love the fact that they made them larger??) would only be for me to see.  Oh no.  It's out there for everyone to see and comment on.  (And, of course, now it's on my blog for everyone to see!!  Wink, wink.)  And it's almost like people are then obligated to tell you how great you look.  But they forget...I have grandkids.  I just wanted to update the new wrinkled me...but at the same time...hide my wrinkles.

The Birthday Boy

David turned 30 on August 3rd.  That was the day he went to have braces put on.  He was actually quite glad--he was getting an appliance removed which was repairing his crossbite--and hurting his tongue.  I could post that pic...never mind.

David was always the kid who hated going out to eat.  I know!!  Can you believe it?  He'd beg us to take him home so he could eat a peanut butter/jelly sandwich while the rest of us went to Plaza.  Crazy kid!!  I figured a lot hadn't changed...so I cooked for him.  I completely forgot he couldn't eat corn on the cob! ha!  But he cut it off the cob and ate it.

Addie & Ryan eating leftover pasta while the rest of us had brisket.

Andy, Lindsey, Mama

I even made his favorite cake--at least I was hoping he still liked it.  Ryan led the song.

A 30-year-old getting enough air to blow.

 YOU'RE 30 YEARS OLD, DAVID SAMUEL!

Some things never change...

(No licking harmed this cake)

And this concludes this year's birthday circuit.

Rare Earth by Davis Bunn

Rare Earth by Davis Bunn (and published by Bethany House) is the second in the Marc Royce Series.  The first in the series is entitled Lion of Babylon.  You need to know that this book could easily be a stand-alone novel.  Even though you're introduced to the courageous life of Marc Royce in the first book, you'll know all about him through this second book and won't feel like you missed a thing.

Marc is sent on a dangerous mission to Kenyan refugee camps.  The people who hire him don't expect him to live.  Most outsiders are never accepted.  But Marc proves himself over and over as he seeks to help these refugees who have lost everything.  Soon, he gains the respect of the tribal leaders...leaders from several tribes who have feuded in the past.  But they've come together with one objective--to save their villages.

Someone has a hidden agenda to take the rare earth (dirt with many unusual minerals used in the high-tech industry) from these villages for their own use and to line their own pockets.  It's Marc's job to discover who is doing this.

Davis Bunn writes in a fast-paced and tension-filled style.  I finished this book in one day--it's that good.  Plus I love the spiritual depth he has which he includes in his books.  I would highly recommend this book and this series.  I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to Bethany House Publishers for providing this book for review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255

Watch the trailer here:

Videos of Grandkids this Week

I can't see any of my grandkids without them all wanting to be videoed as they perform.  When I was at Dallas last week with the Wright's, each performance got crazier.  The funniest thing is that Hadassah (who has only been in the family 5 months) fits right in.  If she's not dancing or playing the harmonica, she just screams to be heard above the others.  They're all hams!

I wanted to put Dax's latest video up, but he was naked in the tub.  It was so cute!  He was learning to say his letter "A"--albeit with a Texas accent.  (Amy, don't show this video to your friends.  They've heard a Texas accent before!)  Daddy's pretty proud that Dax knows how to do "Gun's Up!"


Ryan & Addie just videoed this film this afternoon.  They put in the CD of the songs they learned at VBS and remembered most of the motions to the songs.  I love Addie's moves!!

Birthday Circuit

I've been on the birthday circuit.  Andy & I left last Friday for Lubbock where we celebrated Shanna's birthday (July 26) with their family.  It was so much fun to see them.  Dax is walking and talking and Gus is growing.  My bet is that Gus will be here very, very soon.

 Shanna (birthday girl) and Zach 

Dax loved his meal!  Pops fed him some corn...and Dax paid for it the next morning.  Dax only gets his pacifier while he sleeps now...so he was saying so much more this time!

The next day, we headed back to Borger and within an hour, I was headed to Dallas to celebrate Amy's birthday (July 27).  

Hadassah celebrating her mom's birthday.  YEA for Mom!!

The other 3 Wright Kids celebrating with us.  We ate lunch at Pei Wei. 

We tried to meet Matt in-between Lubbock & Dallas, but he had to head to Wellington to work.  But we managed to eat lunch together today for his birthday (July 26)!

We're not through yet!  More to come as we finish this birthday circuit Sunday.