sono

we had the first glimpse at this little surprise turkey of ours yesterday! he/she looks good and has a strong heart beat. it did bring lots more reality to the fact that this time next year we will have four kids five and under and life will be WILD (as if wasn't that way already... wink, wink). thanks for your continued prayers. the next time we see this little person will be in dallas with a sono specialist to check out that heart and make sure all is well there!

ÉCLAIR CAKE:

you will need:
-2 (3.5 ounce) packs of instant vanilla pudding mix
- 1 (8 ounce) whipped topping, thawed
- 3 cups milk
- 1 pack of graham crackers
- 1 (16 ounce) chocolate frosting

In a medium bowl, thoroughly blend pudding mix with whipped topping and milk. Arrange a single layer of graham crackers in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Evenly spread 1/2 of the mixture over the crackers. Top with another layer of crackers and the remaining pudding mix. Top with a final layer of crackers. Microwave the frosting for one minute and pour over all. Let chill for at least 4 hours... over night is even better!

We got a huge response from the guys on this one! enjoy!

peanut butter dip

so i promised my staff that i would post the recipes from summer snacks.
here is the first of three...

peaunut butter dip:
1 c peanut butter
1c brown sugar
1 package (8 oz) cream cheese

blend. add milk if needed for creaminess. great with pretzels and apples.
enjoy!!

mandatory

recently i had an experience that i believe should be mandatory in the life of every mother!
i had a get away.
nothing fancy...
just a 24 hour absence from all responsibilities.
no husband,
no children,
no cooking,
no cleaning,
no training.....
just plain and simple rest!

although it may sound strange... the fact that there was a QT at the exit to my hotel was sooo exciting! i love everything about QT... the cookies, the drinks, the coffee! amazing!

this is the pic that best describes my time... me and my friend ASHLEY chillin' in a hotel room doing a whole lot of NOTHING! well, not completely... we did ALOT of talking... we are all caught up. can i just say that it has been about five years since i have had an uninterrupted conversation with this sweet friend and it was MUCH needed!

and of course we took a midnight run to taco c... i mean, i'm pregnant, right?

i ended my trip with a short stop to see this cute family! this is my cousin, greg, his wife, keri, and their NEW baby, london! so exciting to see them with a new little one!

so, there you have it! go on, momma...
plan a get away - use me as your excuse...
believe me, it is worth the effort... you need it!
i did too.
and, i am a better momma today because of it!

**Thanks to our husbands/friends that made this 24 hour retreat happen! It was refreshing!!!**

Grandma

We attended lance's grandma's funeral today.
It was a celebration of a life lived to the fullest!

In her life she taught her kids and grand kids to show hospitality to all and to "live it up" when at all possible.

In her death she reminded me that I can not be with my children forever, but the legacy I leave them can go on. With that in mind, tonight, I held my children close and prayed that if they see nothing else in my life... I want them to see a woman that unashamedly LOVES JESUS with all she has. May God show favor to continue a legacy that began far before I was a mother. Many ladies have come before me in the Sisco heritage and to each I'm grateful... may His name be honored for generations to come!

We love you, Grandma! We love you, GG!
We know you are "living it up " in His presence!

been busy

we have been "xing" off the stuff on our summer list. and, although, painting a bird house was not on the list... it was fun!

caleb and daddy built this bird house before summer started and we decided it was time to paint it!

it looked pretty cool when they were done.... now we just have to hang it in the back yard.

visiting friends

This week the kids and I took a day trip to Kaufman, TX to visit these beautiful girls! Ashley, Ashley, and Lydia... three friends that go WAY back to our younger, college years. Now we've all begun our families and time spent together is chasing or holding kids... but we loved every minute of it!

We met at Ashley B's mom's house... where she had the most amazing blow up slide. Even Riley got in on that action.

here is caleb and riley colliding at the bottom of the slide

here is Ashley C's baby girl - Rachel... it was way too hot to keep a shirt on! :) I think that this little girl is going to be ALOT like her mommy... watch out folks... two ashleys!

Lydia with her little man, Bobby. He is adorable and has a single tooth grin that i missed in this shot.

Angie (ashley B's sister) and her doll, Olivia. She has a face for everything and doesn't like her feet or bottom to touch the grass...hilarious!

hudson, ashley B's oldest kiddo, seems like he should be a sisco... he's got lots of energy and personality! LOVE HIM! I didn't get any pics of sweet, baby ellie because she was napping once i got my camera out! boo!

The john deer truck was a big hit with my big kids. this is caleb giving riley a ride around the yard.

anna, ashley C's other kiddo, with allie. allie kept saying, "it's just girls in this car, ok?"


that was it - an afternoon with nine kids that never stopped moving and always needed something. sorry we didn't get any good talk time in girls, but it was such a blessing to watch your kids and see their sweet personalities! Love you all!