Gracie had a fantastic time at her first camp!!!

The Bible, Out on the Canoe, kayaking, campfires, swimming, water slides, hiking, water balloon fights, sports, music, small groups, friends, fellowship, worship, reinactments, food, fireworks, camping~~~The Camp Theme was "2009 Sweet Life with Jesus", and was set up like the "sweet life of Zach and Cody" Sounds Like She Had FUN!!!

Brad just sent me a couple of pictures from in front of Michael Jacksons Home

Goofy 13 yr olds...and their summer to do list

My wacky daughter Madison and her Friend Liz have a summer "to do" list that they made up..

well I guess that they checked off two of those items this past weekend.. on the 4th of July...

one being to go trick-or-treating in July.. and the other was to get a picture with the guy holding the Little Cesars sign on court street... well here are two pictures from those experiences..

hmmm

whoops.. how does he keep getting in here :)

So thankful that You, Mike and Beth all landed safely!! ~love you hon~ Jen

It's going to be a lonely week with out you~

We Miss You ..and your still on the plane...hope your nerves settled a bit about flying! Love you!!

Me, our Girls and Mitch xoxo

Never Explain---your friends don't need it and your enemies will not believe you anyway. ~Elbert Hubbard

~~~must remember this~~~

It's close to the 4th.. here's a slaw and dip recipe for ya :)

Tasty Shrimp Dip

1 (3 ounce) package Cream cheese

• 1 tablespoon mayo
• 1 cup shrimp, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon worchestershire
• 2 teaspoons onion, grated
• 2 teaspoons parsley, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

2 drops of hot sauce

Mix cream cheese in with the mayonnaise and then add all of the other ingredients blending well. Chill for 1 hour or and serve with crackers.

Apple Cabbage Slaw

• 1 pkg of cabbage slaw mix
• 1/2 cup mayo.
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon celery seed
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon black
• 1 large granny smith, unpeeled, cored, quartered and thinly sliced

• Place slaw mix (cabbage) in a large bowl; set aside.

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayo, sourcream, vinegar, celery seed, salt, and pepper. Add the apple.
2. Pour over the cabbage and toss gently until coated. Cover and chill 1 hour or longer.

Wonderful Weekend~

What a hot time in Central Illinois--- LITERALLY! Agh.. humid and 90's.. thank you Lord for the pool in our back yard!! Here are few more fun shots of the kids for the grandparents from this weekend.. I think my blog focus has become much less on house and a whole lot more on family.. but what could be better!!

Brad, thank you for being such a fun, loving and loyal father and husband..we are so thankful that you have always chosen us over any other activities.. you are so much fun to have around.. our children are so blessed to have such a wonderful daddy!! Hope you enjoyed your Father's Day as much as we enjoyed it with you!

Alzheimers ~

Hello,

I am writing today to ask everyone to please help support the Alzheimers Association...we must find a cure. I pray for a cure nightly... and am trying to find ways to help raise awareness.

I never understood the depth of what Alzheimers was or did to a person and the loved ones around them until looking further into the disease and experiencing what has happened this past year after my father-in-law was diagnosed.

Dad John... graduate of Bradley University, and mathematical wiz.. resides 2 miles from the beach in California.. and was enjoying an early retirement when he started questioning his memory for about 4 years prior to being diagnosed. Just little things, not to worry... and we all just passed it off as dad's just getting older...well that has all changed.

Since the official diagnosis a year ago dad has been really struggling to do the daily life based things...using the remote, typing an email, sending a letter..etc. no longer able to drive. This is the same man that we would go to for any questions about finance, investing, political views & policy, real estate stats etc and the same man that drove his motor home all over the country and back here to Illinois every summer of his retirement to visit us.... always up to date on every issue of this world and technical gadget.

My husband still goes to his Dad every night once or twice by telephone and cherishes the latest sports, jokes and happenings that the discuss.. but mostly just to listen to his dad's voice and always ends up hanging up the phone and crying. He is so thankful to still have him here to talk to, even if the context of the conversation is not quite the same as it used to be. Brad and his sister are going to visit with their father in July if for only 4 days.. time is so precious.

With just that little bit of information on our Dad.. I ask of you to look into Alzheimers.. and please donate to the cure. We NEVER would have imagined this disease happening to someone in our family.. and when it does.. it changes everything very quickly.

Thank you,

Jen

http://www.alz.org

Happy Anniversary Brad ~

June 12th was our 16th Wedding Anniversary, but since we were both busy with work... today is the day I plan to enjoy with my husband.

I remember that day very well.. Ashley and I racing down Court Street in Pekin listening to "If I could Walk 500 Miles" all the way up, laughing and anxious to get to the Church to get dressed, I remember my Grandfathers kissing my cheek before I went to stand in wait of The Wedding March, I remember my cousin's wife Lara and her father singing Sunrise Sunset as we lit the candles with their big beautiful voices, while I held your shaking hand..

.. To many memories to list at the church..

Then off to our reception that my mom worked so hard on...

We had live music by Lisa Goekens band... and our first dance was to Wonderful Tonight, by Eric Clapton.. I remember we both were crying, had such a good time.. So much to cherish.. not to mention all of the time from then to now. We have been through so so much, I love you more today than I did that day, and I never thought that would be possible to match! ~ I love you Brad.. thank you for following me around that hot summer day.. and all of the days to follow! It's Turkey Festival weekend, just as it was the year we were wed, and the year we met and you waited outside the bank for me!!

I knew we would be together forever from the first time I saw you.. and you know that is the truth!!... and so do the good friends that were there when all of the sudden I said out loud "That is the Man I am going to Marry!!".. they thought I was losing it!.. well ~ look who was right ~ ;)

Love ya,

Jen

WE LOVE YOU GRANDPA JOHN !!!!!!

Hi Dad,

We just wanted to say we love you, and we are thinking of you tonight!!

love, Brad

Thank you Lib ~

The Goodies that Libby brought me back from France.. Thank you so much Lib!! And thank you for the cute clothes that you brought back for the girls.. you're so sweet.

~Jen

McKenzie & Grace's Cake

My 15 yr old, McKenzie and her friend Grace were upset that I had not put a picture of the cake that they made for Hope.. So here it is girls.. On The Blog!! You did a Marvelous job :)

Love,

Mom

Pondering~

Do I want carrots with my cereal or sweet potato ?

Olive Garden Italian Salad Dressing Copycat

A salad to go with your chicken cacciatorie~

1/2 cup white or red wine vinegar

1/3 cup water

1/3 cup light olive oil

1/4 cup light corn syrup

2 1/2 tablespoons grated Romano Cheese

2 Tablespoons dry pectin

2 tablespoons beaten egg

1 1/4 tsp. salt

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp garlic powder

1/4 tsp. dry parsly flakes

1/8 tsp oregano

pinch of crushed red pepper flakes

Combine all mix on low for 30 seconds. Chill at least 1 hr before serving

Pour and toss over italian mixed greens with large black olives and mild pepercinis

Chicken Cacciatore in a Crock~

Hello Ladies,

I thought I'd share a recipe that is perfect to fit into my busier days. Chicken Cacciatore in a Crock.

You will need:

6-8 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 Large White Onion

2 Large Green Peppers

2-3 table spoons of minced garlic

1 6oz can of tomato paste

1 container of fresh sliced mushrooms

2 bay leaves

1-8 oz can stewed tomatoes with chilles

1/2 cup of burgandy wine

Parmesan cheese, to sprinkle when serving

Simply lay the sliced onions on the bottom of the crock pot. Add the chicken. In a bowl mix together all of the remaining ingredients and pour over the chicken.

Cook for 7-9 hours on Low.

Or

3-4 hours on High.

Serve over pasta.

Italian Salad and breadsticks on the side.

Enjoy~

a blogger award

Blogger Award Given to Parisienne Farmhouse Chic~

I am having such a great time with all my new blogging friends. I was given this award by Carrie from Carrie at Farming on Faith. Thank you Carrie~

The Rules:

1 - Thank the person that gave it to you. Thank you again~Carrie

2 - List 10 honest things about yourself.

3 - Put the honest scrap logo on your blog.

4 - Select 7 other bloggers that you think deserve this award.

10 Honest Things About Me:

1. I am a Christian.

2. I am the happiest when I am with my family and close friends.

3. I love being married to and spending time with my husband, Brad.

4. I am always looking at ways to make my house our home.

5. I love French, Cottage, and Farm House Style.

6. I love to decorate and re-decorate, although I have slowed way down on that in the past year.

7. I am so thankful to have a supportive husband that wants me to be a stay-at-home mom.

8. I love to be out in my garden, and am on a daily basis...even if for only 5-10 minutes.

9.I have always been so thankful that I had such great Grandparents growing up, and still have my Oma, and Grandma T. I miss my Opa and Grandpa T. horribly

10. I have discovered a new love for cooking large dinners and new recipes..and I appreciate that my family and daughters friends comment that they love to eat at our house.

Seven Bloggers I am Awarding:

1. Southern Lady - Nancy

2. a' la' parisienne

3. Rose Vine Cottage Two

4. Bella Shabby

5. Embellish

6. Parisienne Farmgirl

7. La Dolce Vita

And The Winner Is ~~

Joey Goss-Devore!! I will need to get your address, you have won the parisiennefarmhousechic "followers" give away.. yay~

McKenzie & Mitchell Sunday Morning~

just for you sissy ashley~

Thank You Sullivans

Thank you so much guys for the surprise birthday cake tonight, gift, and for being such good friends!!

Brigette~ You need to sell your cakes!! Adorable!! and it was SOOO YUMMY!!

Thanks again, you're the best!

~jen

Good Morning Grandparents

Good Morning Grandma's and Grandpa's... Love you all!!

I'm So Thankful~

I am so thankful for all that God has blessed me with.  I have God in my daily life. I have a loving & funny husband who is very patient with me and has always provided a good life for his family... beautiful and very individual daughters, a precious baby boy, heatlh, great friends, a roof over my head, food on our table, a car to drive and  clothes on our backs.  This is really all that I need.  Thank you God for being so good to me.

~Jen~

Faith Learned to Rip It~

Input from my girlies ~

Trying to figure out if I should order a window trough for the upper large window? Along with~ Or do I want it over just the little one, the bottom one and the bays?? agh Any ideas on this would be appreciated.

Praying for my mother-in-law today as she heads in for yet another surgery..

School Is Out ~

Pictured on the right are Austyn, Ms. Hooten and Our McKenzie

all with Big Smiles because~~ SCHOOL IS OUT~~

On the left McKenzie and Taylor~