Chili Cook-Off

 

A couple of weeks ago we had a chili cook-off and game night.  Games being bowling and ping-pong over at Va Tech's Squires.  Fun!  Kayla and Jack both entered, and this year, the Waters secured the coveted trophy.  The second place winner may or may not have solicited votes for himself but the first place winner did not- I don't know if she gave it a second thought.

First prize went to Kayla's Breathtaking Chicken Chili.

Second place went to Jack's Knock-Your-Socks Off Chili.

Sammy couldn't have cared less about chili.  He just bowled all evening.

Kayla's Chicken Chili

(we adjust amounts to our taste and need)

1 1/2 pound cooked chicken

3 cans navy beans

1 1/2 cup water

small jar of salsa

block of Pepper Jack cheese, cubed (we used Colby)

Add all ingredients except cheese to crock pot.  Heat for a few hours on high.  Add cheese.  Serve when cheese is melted.

Jack's Chili

This is roughly what we use.

2 cans pinto beans, drained

2 cans petite diced tomatoes

1 can crushed tomatoes

1 onion chopped

1 pound ground beef

salt, pepper, oregano

Brown the meat, add onions.

Cook all ingredients in a large pot or crock pot.

Simmer for a bit, then top with cheese.

Serve with chips or french bread.

Pretty basic but we like it.

Jack's 11th

Well it is not looking good for an historic snowstorm in our neck of the woods.  I am very disappointed!
Oh well- what can I do?
Blog about Jack and his birthday.
I asked him what were some of the best things about this past year.  One of the highlights was a good friend moving into the neighborhood and being able to bike to his house.  Another was the church plant getting started.
Jack has a great sense of humor, still loves to read, is happy to give Lucy hugs and kisses, and wants to be either a librarian or be in the army.  I love that when he wants to learn something he gets himself some books from the library and learns it.  The librarians know him by name and one jokes with him about getting to the library limit on check-outs.  He seems to be growing into a respectful, friendly young man- so proud of him. 
Happy Birthday Jack!

They really do grow up so fast.

Doesn't seem possible that it's been 11 years since he was born.

He made his own cake from start to finish (by choice!).

He invited a few friends and Mimi and Papa over for cake, then the boys went swimming at the aquatic center.

On his actual birthday he had the traditional birthday cereal, went out to lunch with Granny and Grandpa, and watched a movie with Dad (and me for a bit).  

This might be one of my all time favorite pictures.

Love this guy.

Catch Up

It's another birthday eve here- our firstborn turns 11 tomorrow.
Wow.
I thought I better do a little catching up before it's time for a birthday blog.
*They are calling for a big- maybe historic?- winter storm mid-week.  I'm just a little  lot excited about the possibility.
*We had a nice dinner last night with my parents and Brian's parents.  Hot soup on a cold night and good conversation.
*Even though I'm excited for the snow, I've got gardens, flowers, and spring peepers on my mind.
*Kayla is really enjoying writing stories lately. She's into a series about her and Jack.  She even has a pen name- Comfort Meazle.  Love love love the pen name!
*Sammy's favorite song right now is "10,000 Reasons."  I guess he's had to listen to it over and over...
*Jack has been into learning magic tricks.  He's got several books checked out about them and has learned some good ones.
*Lucy has some new words: weird and mean.  Not sure what I think of those.  She does, however, have a very sweet habit of telling me she loves me, a lot.  Who wouldn't like that?

Sammy is ALL BOY.  He's always jumping on (or off) of something.  He made some sort of jumping/sliding thing here and down he went.

He and Lucy are still good buddies most of the time.  I love her camo t-shirt and pink tutu.

This is what went out in the local paper Friday morning.  Praying some new folks will find their way to church tomorrow.

Sammy is 6!

The past several days have been up and down, to be sure. 
In the middle of shock and sadness we got to celebrate Sammy's 6th birthday.
Really, is there a better time to remember how thankful you are for the people in your life?
I am so glad to be Sammy's mom.  He is a special little guy in so many ways- so full of life and energy.  He still has the best laugh and I love it when he decides it's okay to give mom kisses.
Happy 6th Birthday Sammy!
We all love you!

He wanted a pirate party.  He helped me make a pirate ship cake, complete with gold coins.

We read a pirate book, made telescopes, put on pirate patches, then went on a treasure hunt.

Jack led the boys around the house.  The treasure was in the bathtub-bouncy balls, frogs, gold coins.

I think this is the cutest bunch of pirates I've seen!

Hope

Sleep eluded me last night.
I doubt I am the only one.
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted" Psalm 34:18 is what ran through my head.
There are many brokenhearted around here right now.
It was hard not to think about a very dear family who lost a special mama yesterday.
When I remember Sandy I think of joy.  I don't know if I can think of a lady more joyful in the Lord.
Her loss is one of those things that makes no sense to me, yet I know her joy is complete and full this day and forevermore.
Of course we are thankful for her.
Thankful for truth and grace.
Thankful that we can all grieve with great hope.

"Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints."  Psalm 116:15

The Father's Voice

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.  Trust in the Lord forever, for the Lord God is an everlasting rock."  Isaiah 26:3,4

 Am I the only one whose mind and heart is prone to wonder and end up in a place that is not peaceful?  I never thought of myself as an anxious person but I am proving to be pretty good at it.  That verse from Isaiah is a new favorite, now a prayer for myself and friends.  One of the things I heard recently and I think that this verse encourages us to do is to let the Father's voice be the loudest voice in my head.  Good music helps me do this so my family has had to listen to several songs on repeat- over and over and over again... They are very gracious.

I have a total of 8 songs on my Kindle- I know- that's soooo many, right?  I've enjoyed pushing a button and having encouragement at the tip of my fingers.  Here they are:

*"Blessed Assurance" by Third Day

*"10,000 Reasons" by Matt Redman

*"Come Let Us Worship" by Fernando Ortega

*"Wonderful Maker" by Jeremy Camp

*"Wonderful, Merciful Savior" by Selah

*"My Jesus, I Love Thee" by Amy Grant

and by Jadon Lavik, my new favorite singer,

*"Come Thou Fount"

*"This Is My Father's World" 

What helps you keep His voice the strongest?

Some Highlights of the Week

I am half watching "Duck Dynasty" and half paying attention to blogging.  I have to say I love DD.  Makes me laugh every time.
In other news, I'm trying to catch up a little from the week with some cute pictures.  It's been a busy week but a good one.

We got some new books this week from a book sale which equals happy campers around here.  I love finding my kids settled in somewhere, nice and comfy, with a good book.  

These two have spent half the week in their bathing suits, swimming around the house, in and out of the Atlantic.  It's really cute how Lucy follows Sam around the house and even cuter when they get along.

The end of the day when Sam, Lucy, and I cuddle up for bedtime books is one of my favorite times of the day.  No matter what kind of day we've had, we're all happy.  Last night we were reading Chitty Chitty Bang Bang which Sammy especially enjoys.  It had been a really long day and Lucy fell asleep before we finished reading.  Sam ran down to get the camera.  He took a pretty good picture, I think, and I loved every minute.