Let the little children come to me...

Mark 10:14 says "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."

Joe and I have been blessed for years to be surrounded by children who we love. As you know we have 2 of our own, Danielle (11) and Joseph (8), and then we have many others in our life who we love with all of our hearts.

All of these children have brought us happiness, sadness (when they were hurting) and even tears (both of joy and pain) but our lives are so much richer for it. When Joe and I reflect on some of our favorite memories of our times together (24 years of dating and marriage now) 90% of them include these children. We surrounded ourselves with babies, toddlers and small children long before we had kids of our own...it was something we loved to do - and we still do.

Now we have teenagers, pre-teens, young kids, toddlers and babies to spend time with...nothing puts a smile on my face quicker than our yard being full of kids all playing together and having a good time.

God has been very good to us by continually letting the little children come to us.

Here is our newest addition...just a month shy of her first birthday.

Legacy of Love

Joe and I both got notes from Danielle at the dinner table on Valentine's Day. We BOTH were choked up and moved by what she wrote. Of course there is humor in the notes as well. Here is what they said:

5 Favorite Things About Dad

1. His sense of humor
2. Being the ultimate dance dad
3. The way we both sniffle
4. When you do the fist pump
5. The love and support to others

Dad - I love you so much no matter what happens don't forget that. Also, like I said, being the ultimate dance dad because most dad's don't take the time to sit at a dance competition but you never left and that means the world to me!

Love ya, Danielle


5 Favorite Things About Mom

1. Her great support
2. Her bond with her family
3. Her amazing love and care
4. That no matter what I do bad she will always forgive me
5. Her love and support to the Church and God

Mom - I love you with all my heart and no matter what ridiculous thing I am giving you an attitude about I am never really mad at you, I'm just being dumb and never forget that! Also mom that you for all your support with dance, you have NO idea how much I appreciate that also with school - you never say no when I ask you for help with homework and when ever I have something at school you are there!

Love ya, Danielle

As a parent my true hearts desire is for my legacy to be that "I was there" when Danielle or Joseph needed me. Could I have a higher powered position than the one I have at my current job, absolutely...but it would be at the expense of my family. I have one of the best bosses that a mother of two could ask for. He is flexible with me (and my co-workers) to the best of his ability and in turn we do not abuse that privilege. I want my kids to see me do for them and others with ease and joy...it is more important to me than "my title" at work or a higher salary.

I have one shot at being the best parent I can possibly be - and when my kids look back on their upbringing I want them to be able to say "my mom was there when..."

These notes meant the world to us...much more than anything store bought for sure!!!

Sissy Love

Continuing on with spreading the love yesterday...Joseph had this on Danielle's plate at dinner last night!!!

True Love

I woke up this morning and found this note taped to the mirror in my bathroom!!! What a great way to start my Valentine's Day. Lil Joe just called me to be sure I found it...a son with a good heart is truly a gift.

Game Day Dessert Recipe's

Peanut Butter Bars

1 Yellow Cake Mix
1 Cup Peanut Butter (creamy or super chunky)
1/2 Cup butter - melted
2 eggs
6oz Chocolate Chips
1/3 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
2 Tbsp. butter
1 can coconut pecan icing

Combine cake mix, peanut butter, melted butter and eggs in a large bowl. Mix until well blended. Pat 2/3 of mixture into the bottom of a 9X13 pan and set aside. Next, Combine chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, butter and coconut pecan icing in a medium sauce pan and heat until chocolate chips are melted. Spread filling over mixture in pan. Place remaining 1/3 of batter on top of filling in lattice like fashion. Bake in 350 oven for 20 - 25 minutes.

Mudslide Brownies

Prep 20 min Cook 35 min

6 1 oz unsweetened chocolate baking squares

1/2 cup plus 2 TBSP unsalted butter, divided

1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

3 large eggs

4 tsp espresso powder, divided

2 TBSP plus 2 tsp coffee liqueur

1 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup chopped pecans, toasted

2 TBSP whipping cream or half and half

2 TBSP vodka

2 1/4 to 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Garnish (optional) chocolate-covered espresso coffee beans chopped

Melt 4 chocolate baking squares and 1/2 cup butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat and transfer to a large bowl. Add sugars; stir well. Stir in eggs, 2 tsp, espresso powder, and 2 tsp coffee liqueur. Add flour and salt, stirring until blended. Stir in pecans.

Spread batter into a lightly greased alumunim foil-lined 13 x 9 pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until brownies appear set on top. Cool completely in pan on a wire rack.

Melt remaining 2 chocolate baking squares and 2 TBSP butter in heavy saucepan, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; transfer to a medium bowl. Stir in remaining 2 tsp. espresso powder, whipping cream, vodka and remaining 2 TBSP coffee liqueur. Add enough powdered sugar to make a good spreading consistency, beating at medium speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Spread frosting over cooled brownies; garnish, if desired. Let stand until frosting is set. Use foil to lift uncut brownies out of the pan. Cut into bars to serve. Yield: 3 dozen small or 1 dozen large.

Game Day Dip Recipe's

White Pizza Dip

1 Envelope of Lipton Savory Herb with Garlic Soup Mix

16 ounces of sour cream

8 ounces of ricotta cheese

1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese (4oz) divided

1/4 cup (1oz) chopped Pepperoni (optional)

1 Loaf Italian or French Bread, Sliced

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. In shallow 1-quart casserole, combine soup mix, sour cream, ricotta cheese, 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese and pepperoni.
2. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese.
3. Bake uncovered, 30 minutes or until heated through. Serve with bread.

Beefy Taco Dip

1 pound ground beef

1 jar salsa

1 pound Mexican Velveeta cheese -- cubed

Tortilla Chips

Brown beef, crumble into small pieces, and drain. Combine beef, chili, and cheese in slow cooker. Cover.

Cook on low 1 to 1½ hours, or until cheese is melted, stirring occasionally to blend ingredients. Serve warm with tortilla chips.

Real Love Waits

We spent the better part of the week between Christmas and New Years at our friends house in Havelock, NC. While we were there we attended an Oyster Roast/ECU Bowl Game Party. At this party we met a young girl who is a freshman in College. She told Joe and I all about how she wears a purity ring and how much she values her own purity. I am not going to lie...Joe and I were both surprised at how willing this young lady, who never met us before, was so willing to have this type of conversation with us. She was at the party with her parents and Joe had spent the better part of the day speaking with her dad. She and her mom came to the party later on.

As we stood their listening to her - we were also asking the parents, what was your trick? What did you do to help her understand how to value herself in this way? Then it hit me...her dad had to be showing her a real life example on how she should be treated. I made sure to tell him that too. I truly am a firm believer in the fact that a dad can really set the tone for the type of treatment his daughter will expect from someone she dates and then her husband.

This young lady told us how it isn't always easy but she tries to spend her time with friends who have a similar outlook on things like this. She doesn't exclude people from her life...but she does spend more time with people "like her."

At one point I thought Joe was going to hug the life out of this poor girl - he was so overwhelmingly impressed with her. And trust me, if you really know Joe, you know he just doesn't randomly hug young girls.

I asked her to let me see her ring. The inscription on it was "Real Love Waits" - I looked at her and said - "It really will. I know I have just met you but I just want to say one thing to you. I know it will not always be easy for you but remember that this is one of the most valuable gifts you can give to someone...and once you give it, you can't get it back. Continue to look for someone who sees and values purity in the same way that you do."

Meeting this young lady was possibly the highlight of our week - it was all about her willingness to share her reasoning behind her choices with 2 adults that she just met. To me it said a lot about her character as well as her parents. They were a great family who we feel blessed to have met.

We pray that years from now Danielle will be having a conversations like this with people.