fly to Jesus

My heart is heavy. My cousin's daughter just passed away this evening and at first when I heard the news I was just stunned and didn't feel much. But now I want to bawl. I haven't been close with my cousin lately since I live 4 hours away, but in middle school and high school, we were pretty close because she is only a year younger. I remember talking with her late into the night while camping when we were in high school. We were in the back of my dad's suburban away from the rest of the family. She was sharing choices she had made that she had regretted and I was just trying to be a supportive cousin. And now, I wish I was there to give her a hug and let her cry on my shoulder. I can't even imagine what Krista and her husband are feeling...losing their 5 1/2 yr old daughter. I'm thankful for God in their life and that they can have peace knowing Makayla is in heaven now. And free of all her suffering and pain! That might be the most beautiful thing. "Fly to Jesus" by Chris Rice is a favorite song of mine because it has provided hope and peace for me many times in life and now I think of little Makayla in the last verse.

"And with your final heartbeat,
Kiss the world goodbye,
Then go in peace,
and laugh on Glory's side

Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus and live,

Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus,
Fly to Jesus and live"

cookie monster

While living with my sister and her family, I would make monster cookies every couple of months...but not quite nearly enough for my brother-in-law and nephew! This week I took care of my nephews for a couple of days while both my sister and brother-in-law were out of town on business trips. I had told Casey that I would make monster cookies if his team won their district championship game, but he convinced me that he deserved them anyway since he had scored 7 goals in the past 3 games :) After hockey practice one night, Casey showed how much he likes the cookies by eating at least 10 of them!! Within a 15 minute time period.

I don't have a picture of him scarfing them down this week, but here are a couple of pictures from a couple of years ago of him fully enjoying the monster cookies :)


Just eating them right out of the tupperware.... and looking mischevious about it :)

Have a great weekend! And if you want to make some monster cookies, here is the recipe:

• 3 eggs
• 1/2 cup oleo
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cup white sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1 1/2 cups peanut butter
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 4 1/2 cups oatmeal
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup M&Ms

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix all ingredients in order of list above. Drop on cookie sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes. Take out of the oven. Cool for a couple of minutes and then enjoy by dipping into a glass of milk!

Note: I never measure the chocolate chips and M&Ms...just dump in how much I want :)

get me out of this funk

today i was in a funk.

Probably coming from too many "should haves" and "what ifs" rolling around in my head and the thought of needing to buy a new car. So tonight, I'm going to dream a little.... and take a mental vacation to somewhere warm and relaxing...where I could sit and read books all day long with a fruity tropical drink in my hand :)

So sit back and dream with me :)
I would stay in a house that looks like this. Of course, it's turquoise :)
And if I was going with someone....this B&B looks pretty sweet.

And a living room with a great ocean view

A little nook to curl up and read or take a nap :)


A great beachy bedroom for long restful nights of sleep

A bathroom with a beach view and ready for a bubble bath and reading a book.
I'm not showing any kitchens because I'd prefer not to cook while on this vacation. Since this is a dream, I'd prefer meals of lobster, salmon, and shrimp delivered to me :) And I would eat it here on this porch.
And at night, I'd love to enjoy a fire while hearing the waves crash on the beach and looking up at the stars.

Someday.... :)