Happy St. Patricks Day...and other items....

Happy St. Patricks Day everyone!!

My friend had posted this video on her Facebook and I loved it! It is a great explaination of St. Patrick.

Check out this link! It is around 8 minutes long, but worth it! It's by Veggie Tales. :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TCB5QhHVJA

Since today is a feast day, (since we have been in Lenten Season--we have given up meat (except fish), sweets, and coffee) we are going to be eating good!! On today's menu, I will be fixing Guinness-marinated London Broil with Rosemary and Garlic, Mushroom Guinness Gravy, and Rustic Colcannon. Yummy!! I can't wait!!

On another note, John and I watched a movie yesterday (I know..amazing, huh?) It's called Fireproof. We had heard from some folks that it was really good. Now, in the beginning of the movie, it is a bit cheesy, and long winded; however, PLEASE stick with it. It is a great movie with a wonderful message. It reminded me of how good God has been to John and I in our own marriage. I highly recommend it.

And finally, some dear friends of ours gave Lydia a play kitchen. It was their daughter's and she has outgrown it. We cleaned it up and she loves it!! We placed it in our kitchen so when Momma cooks, Lydia cooks. I love that too!! My little Chef Lydia! Here are some pictures we took yesterday of her playing. Seriously, she is too cute!

The day in Newport, Kentucky

It was a beautiful day in Newport, KY. This sculpture was in front of the Fish Market.

View of Cincinnati, Ohio...and the Ohio River

"My future is so bright..I gotta wear shades!"

NiNi, Lydia, and cousin Morgan

Lydia jamming with some folks inside Newport Mall.

These guys were awesome! They had a bunch of instruments for others to play along with them. Lydia really enjoyed this!

Lydia checking out all the instruments that were available! She wanted to play with each one!

We had lunch at this Irish Pub in Newport. It was awesome. Although, I think I ate fish/chips too soon (since having the stomach flu)...I got sick a bit later... :(

Finally...getting better...

Lydia and her fancy hat!
Lydia saying, "Jesus wants us to listen."

Her new drum..an old formula can.

Say "Aaaaaahhhhhhh!"

"I'm laughing so hard...I gotta hold onto my hat!"

La..la....laaaaaahhhhh!

Playtime with Lydia

Looking pretty..

Finally...I think..I think...we are feeling better. Ugh...it has been the l-o-n-g-e-s-t 3 weeks ever! Lydia still has a cough, but it is slowly getting better. I thought I was doing well until I had a visit from the stomach flu a couple of days ago. Seriously, I am done! John is doing much better thankfully...it's hard for him to work when he feels like doo-do-ca-caa.

So, thank you for your prayers!

We are also in the Lenten season. Our church follows the church calendar and I am so glad. Needless to say, we are SO thankful that Sunday's are FEAST days!! It really makes you appreciate the Lord's Day...and know that it is the most special day of the week. :)

Some photos to share...

View of Mt. Le Conte from the deck of our chalet

Gorgeous view!

It got pretty cold in the Smokies. The morning after we arrived..there were snow capped mountains in the distance.

Out for a walk

Lydia's first cousin--Camron. She is helping him drink his juice.

Camron, who is 3, was showing Lydia how to play with his toy.

Lydia got a kick out of seeing herself in this giant mirror.

Family of 3

My brother, his wife and son. Family of 3...but soon to be family of 4!! :)

My dad with the grandkids! What a site!

Aunt Brookie with Lydia

Camron and Lydia hugging...too cute.

We had a very short trip to Gatlinburg to hang out with my dad, step-mom, brother and his family. Lydia had the worst runny nose before we left. We had to leave our Gatlinburg getaway early because both Lydia and I had fevers. Lydia's fever would not break and finally we got her to the doctor on Monday. Lydia has an ear infection with a really bad cough. I have the flu. John isn't himself either...we are just a mess.

Pray for us. I am going chill for bit to regain some of my strength before Lydia wakes up from her nap.....have a good one...

Sniffles...Runny Nose and all....

Sorry it has been so long since our last post. It's been crazy around here and our poor Lydia has got some sinus stuff going on. This is her second time having it this month. The first time, she actually had an infection and we were not able to go to the Chinese New Year Celebration. We also had a very sick cat! So, needless to say...we are ready for everyone to get well.

We will post more next week....Our 14th Wedding Anniversary is tomorrow!!! Yea!!

Hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day...my sweet husband bought me beautiful pink roses! They were gorgeous!!

Made in China, plus first timers....

First time we have ever painted her nails! We chose the nail color "Adore You!"

Lydia shaking the nail polish bottle...copying after Momma....

"I like this color!"

Made in China

Too cute!

"I love running...I just love running!! Look at me go!!"

Momma painted her fingernails (um..for the first time in a L-O-N-G while!) and it was the first thing she noticed about me when she woke up from her nap yesterday. After she noticed it, she would point to her thumb nail...I guess she wanted her fingernails painted too!

So today, I thought I would "wing it" and try to paint her fingernails. She LOVED it. She was still the whole time! I couldn't believe it! They turned out so nice. I painted her thumb nail--the thumb she typically sucks on...then I thought...I better not..so she has no paint on that thumb nail. She doesn't seem to mind one bit!

This weekend, we are going to a big Chinese New Year Celebration through the FCC (Families with Children from China) and we are dressing her all up in her pink Chinese dress and matching shoes. Her nails will totally match her dress...I know...like she really cares! :) We have also been practicing Chinese language. She knows how to say "thank-you" and "hello"! It's a start!

Right now, I am letting her feed herself some yummy lasagna and as you probably guessed it..it is everywhere! Gotta go..duty calls!

Have a great day!!

Feeling a bit mushy....

Last week was somewhat stressful for our family. With no power, lots of snow and ice, trying to dig ourselves out of our driveway, messed up schedules....etc....

However, Friday night my sweet husband came home with these! I was so surprised! Flowers just make me happy...I know...I even shed a tear when he brought them to me. Big surprise for those who know me...

Anyway, aren't they beautiful?

Thanks Baby...you truly are a wonderful man.

Now..if I can just get my cats not to eat them....hmmmmm......