On Our Way...

to Rosemary Beach, Florida

Ella's Answered Prayer

For months my Ella has prayed that she would lose a tooth...

She's had a couple of loose teeth for a few weeks; one in particular got reeeeallly loose this past week. In fact, it was so loose that she was truly obsessed with it. Not only did she like to wiggle it, but she wanted everyone else to wiggle it.
But, then the poor little tooth became a source of irritation, and even pain. It was causing Ella such distress.

This answered prayer of hers reminds me of so many of my answered prayers...what we "thought" we wanted doesn't always turn out as expected. To get to the "prize" we so often have to go through anxiety, stress, and lots and lots of wiggling.

But all the heartache and pain does pay off...the tooth does eventually come out.

And what feels like a hole in your life....

eventually turns back into a SMILE :)

And you're on to your next hope and prayer...a visit from the Tooth Fairy!!!!

Perfect Pairings ~ Genesis 30:20

~Babies are such sweet Beginnings~

Welcome to the world Timothy Owen...
You are loved.

God has presented a precious gift.

Genesis 30:20

Ella Ballerina & Recital Day

Ella Ballerina getting ready to depart for her Big Recital!

One of her biggest fans gives her some XOXO

Kisses from Big & Lil' Brothers...her face says it all! :)
Daddy's Baby Girl

The PAC

I love this pic!

Ella & her lovely friend Lauren

At Rehearsal

Motivational Speech

Over 20 in her class!

I could not get over how much Ella had improved since the beginning of the year!

Miss Keally did an Amazing job with this gigantic class!

Ella & her dance partner

Rockin' their air guitars!

*~The Grand Finale~*

Oma & Grandpa congratulate the lil' dancer

Ella Ballerina...

and her adoring family

Perfect Pairings ~ John 13:34

Love one Another.

John 13:34

A Muffin a Day Won't Keep the Doctor Away!

Who doesn't LOVE her some Mimi's Cafe?!
And, who doesn't LOVE the sweet little muffin you get next to your soup, salad or breakfast entree?

There's so many to choose from...Banana Chocolate Chip, Honey Oat Bran, Carrot Raisin Nut, Buttermilk Spice and let's not forget the Low-Fat Blueberry.

Personally, I ADORE the Carrot Raisin Nut Muffin. Ooooh, it's so so tasty!

All the different textures of the raisins, nuts and crushed pineapple make me hum.....

UNTIL the Nutrition Facts I came across the other night when I went to pick up a couple little Carrot Raisin Nut Loaves to add to some Teacher Gifts.

CHECK IT OUT!

Facts
Serving Size: 1 muffin
Amount per Serving
Calories 607 Calories from Fat 315
Total Fat 35g 54%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 82mg 27%
Sodium 679mg 28%
Total Carbohydrate 70g 23%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Protein 7g 14%

So, I was then compelled to check out ALL the muffin nutrition labels...that is, after I picked my jaw up off the bakery bar counter!

Next, I looked at the LOW FAT Blueberry Muffin facts. Yep, the fat went down...but take a look at what happened to the Carb & Sodium count. HOLY MOSES!!!!

(And notice they do not publish the Sugar count on any of them...hmmmmm.)

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 1 muffin
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Calories 439 Calories from Fat 36
----------------------
Total Fat 4g 6%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 18mg 6%
Sodium 1026mg 43%
Total Carbohydrate 101g 34%
Dietary Fiber 2g 8%
Protein 8g 16%

Just wanted all of you to be aware next time you go to enjoy your "lil' muffin" treat at Mimi's. Oh, and by the way...the Honey Oat BRAN MUFFIN is the best choice of the lot ringing in at
Calories 377 Calories from Fat 90
Total Fat 10g 15%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 62mg 21%
Sodium 435mg 18%
Total Carbohydrate 72g 24%
Dietary Fiber 9g 36%
Protein 9g 18%
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It alone has enough Calories & Carbs to count as a small meal!

p.s. I walked away empty handed...no Teacher of ours deserved a "gift" like that!

Wordless Wednesday

Mother's Day 2010

Children are the hands by which we take hold of heaven

~ Henry Ward Beecher

A Little Heaven at Eleven

My 1st born's B'day Morning began with a toasted Bagel all the way from NYC!

(Daddy scored him one on his way home from a business trip)

The B'day Boy in our Family B'day Hat

Cutest thing ever...Abby & Ella came sprinting in from school with our little neighbor friend to wish Will a Happy B'day!
Abb truly loves her big brother...here's the card she made him

After his requested Hideaway "Boz" Pizza (covered in jalepenos!), Grandad & Nana arrive with his BIG gift from both them and us. After converting the playroom to a bedroom, we decided to allow him to have a tv in his room...ONLY for gaming. No cable t.v.! No way Hosea!!

Aunt Gayle & U. Bob gift him with his favorite movie

I love that he loves clothes! Really, he does.

Grandpa shows up with some surprise donuts - Will's favorite

Raspberry Filled is his poison (just like his Momma!)

Mimi gives some b'day love

Us with the baby we prayed and prayed for...after 9 months of infertility and being told we would never have childen without the help of drugs, God blessed us so!

(Peanut Butter pie as requested...Will's never cared for b'day cake)

The Fam

Looong story short, Will's Friend B'day Party turned into a make shift party at our house. The Tulsa Oilers Ice Rink decided to have a "Skating Pageant" without consulting us.

Will & some of his Best Buddies

Praising God for all the AMAZING blessings He has poured out on our lives through the gift of our son William Gregory Ruley. I am amazed by his intelligence, his ability to negotiate, his love for his family, his understanding of faith, and so much more. God revealed to our hearts when we were pregnant with him that He has something quite special in store for Will's life. We eagerly anticipate to see His good & perfect plan unfold....