Crisp Cool U.P. Sky

but this i know

Today my Haitian (and facebook) friend posted this Press Release from UPS about Craig Arnold. I've heard a ton about the amazing work this gentleman has done in Haiti. I have a great respect for him even though I haven't ever met him. He used, is using, and will use his skills to make a massive difference in Haiti.  When no one else was able to get supplies in and out of Haiti he made a way.  People's lives were/are directly affected by his service. He embodies the idea of hero.

The video about Mr. Arnold is a great glimpse of where I was in Haiti - I recognize many of the buildings and the people.
UPS Executive Craig Arnold Returns to Haiti for Global Volunteer Month - UPS Pressroom

I can only hope and pray to do a fraction of what Craig Arnold has been able to accomplish - but this I know - I am meant to return again to Haiti to serve in the fashion that God calls me. Would you please pray with me that God would make clear when and how - the rest is just details.

You Look Beautiful

Oh oh - I found a new and exciting online photoediting application that is fully integrated with picasa.
I love what it did to this picture. I hate what it is going to do to my free time - can't help myself - I love to edit photos!
Mom and Dad - you look beautiful.

Two Cute :)

More happy memories

What a happy day this was!

Is is me, or are you getting younger, Emily???

Bro and sis

Sue and Paul

Too yummy to resist.....now we have to wear them off


Winter with Mom

A smiling trio

A beautiful ring for a beautiful bride

Same-age cousins....didn't they get married once???

It is hard photographing a moving target...the kids had lots of fun running around....

More on the happy day

This one is my favorite.

The happy couple


Walking down the aisle

My handsome family

Lookalikes....except for the hair color

Proud Mom and Dad...with Tim

Six spectacular siblings

Wonderful Wedding Weekend

What a nice weekend!

SUPRISE

Well Joe, Faith and I have some wonderful news to announce. We are going to have a BABY!!!! Many may say ohh, your not married, yes that is right, but i have two things to say on this....1) God gives us suprises around every cornor and doesn't put things in front of us that he knows we cant handle. 2) We are very excited! Marriage is something that Joe and I both cherish and we will do someday! Just not right this second. I dont want to get married because i am pregnant. It has been a very busy year for all of us and with my new job and now this we have decided to take one step at a time, and our next step is to bring a beautiful baby into this world. WE ARE ALL SUPER EXCITED!!! We love you all!!! SUPRISE =)

Faiths Halloween!!

Faith as Ariel, she didn't want to wear her costume look at that face!!

Faith and Buck (my cousin Davids dog) Faith loves dogs!!!!

Faith was practically running out the door to go trick-or-treating!

Shes ready to roll!!!

Faith and her friend Seth.

Pumpkin fun! Faith had such a blast and did most of the gutting process by herself

She was so proud of her handy work!!

Just think! Less than a week before Tim and Sarah's wedding...we're all looking forward to it. It will be a beautiful wedding, and we look forward to having Sarah be part of the family.

Boo

(double click to enlarge)

Wind and friends

This is the result of the crazy winds we're having here! Adam's bedroom is the window to the right of the door -- we're so thankful the tree didn't hit the house as Adam was in bed sleeping when it fell. It is supposed to be even windier later so I hope we don't lose any more trees! This past weekend our family was in St Paul Minnesota for a baptism. Ryan and I were honored to be asked to be godparents for James -- the son of our wonderful friends Erick and Sheena. Ryan and Erick have been friends since their college days together.

James is 2 months old -- isn't he adorable?! He has hair just like Adam did when he was a baby.

Here are the boys with big sister Emma. We were at the Minnesota Science Museum.

I just had to post this picture! Ken and Carol have know Erick all these years too and I know they'd love to see this picture of Erick's little guy!

The big day! The boys were excited to get all dressed up and were trying to figure out how many days til the wedding when they can get dressed up again!

Looking forward to seeing everyone soon!!!

Love, Joy

I love these pictures!

I have been doing a lot of knitting lately because my friend Tara and I are going to do a craft show. Faith keeps saying who is this for, whos that for. Finally she goes when are you going to make me a hat?? I said we would go to the store and she could pick out her own yarn. Well suprise suprise, she picked pink with sparkles! Its my second try, but i think its soooo cute!!!

Darling pumpkin

This is my favorite one!!! Her hair is getting so long again too!! (and yes she has her pj's on, she wanted to try the hat on the second i got it done!! LOL)

Autumn Splendor

(Double click to enlarge image)

Camp Lael - October 2010

Prayers

Please keep my dad in your prayers today. He is having surgery on his neck where he has a blockage. I hope everything goes great, quick and he has a quick recovery and can come home soon. I love you dad!! You are in my prayers, please keep him in yours too. Thanks Addy

I'm really savoring the scents of Fall as I go for my walks. Fall is my favorite season.

Enchilada Casserole - Crockpot Edition

This is an extremely versatile dish - you can swap in and out your favorites!

What you'll need:

1 package of tortillas
(Size depends on the shape & size of your crockpot.  I have a oval shaped crockpot and I buy the 8" tortillas and use three for each layer)
(Type depends on your taste and how "wet" you want your casserole.  Some tortillas sop up more juice)
1 pound of meat (You can use left over chicken, rotisserie chicken (precooked) from the grocery store, or you can brown up some ground meat)
1 can of enchilada sauce (I use 28 ounces)
3 Peppers (any color you want - mix and match)
1 can of black beans (you could use refried or pinto beans but I ♥ black beans)
1 can of olives
1 can of tomato paste
1 package of shredded cheese (or better yet - shred your own and add to your desire)
The fixin's (sour cream, ranch, taco sauce, red hot, guacomole, salsa, etc.)

You could add corn to this recipe - I think I'll try that next time.

Put it together.
Combine chopped or shredded chicken with the enchilada sauce.
Layer the tortillas on the bottom of the crockpot (I use three).
Layer the ingredients:  Checken/Sauce mixture, chopped peppers, black beans, olives, corn, & cheese.
Repeat the layers starting with the tortillas again.  Finish the top with tortillas and a sprinkling of cheese.  Pour any of the liquid that from the chicken/sauce mixture that didn't make it in - into the bowl.

Cook on low (usually 4 - 6 hours) - avoid taking the top off so that there is enough moisture in the recipe.
When it's ready cut it like lasagna!
Serve with the fixin's.

Faiths Fall Fun!

We got pumpkins!!!

Ohhh this on is Faiths!!

Its a dancing pumpkin

Check out this fancy footwork!!

Faith had this costume on when she was 6 months now look at her!~ She is sooo big!

Some of the leaves on my drive to Gwinn everyday. They look much better in person. i love looking at fall leaves and they have been sooo beautiful this year! Hope everyone got to enjoy the leaves by them......... happy fall addy