if Dallas were in Tennessee....

Okay, so my cousin Kristen is in Dallas right now and in labor!!! I'm dying because she's the first cousin to have a baby without the whole Church clan in the lobby! Although, I feel sure that the Spencer family will do us proud!!! I have no pictures to post, but can't wait to see pictures of the little guy, hear the birth story, and MOST importantly know the name of this sweet baby boy! You guys are in our prayers tonight!

So, I can't post without leaving you something... how about a recipe?

I love to cook, but lately that has been a bit challenging to make anything other than an easy dinner! The below recipe I haven't actually made myself, but lets just say that I had it 2 weeks ago and haven't stopped thinking about it! Amy served this for a brunch birthday party and it is truly wonderful. I don't even like French toast!If you try it, let me know if you like it! !

Upside down french toast casserole

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed

2 Tablespoons light corn syrup (Karo)

12 slices firm white bread (I use pepperidge farm farmhouse white)

1 1/2 cups half and half

6 eggs

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Procedure:

1. combine butter, sugar, and corn syrup in a pan. Stir over medium heat until butter melts and the sugar disolves. Let the sauce boil for two minutes without stiring.

2. Pour the sauce into a 9x13 in 2 in thick glass baking dish, tilting to coat the bottom surface. Set aside to cool.

3. Trim the crusts off the bread and discard. Arrange the slices in two layers in the baking dish, cutting to fit as necessary.

4. Place the half and half, eggs, and vanilla in a bowl and whisk to combine; pour this custard over the bread. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and refigerate overnight.

5. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Bake the french toast for 30-40 minutes, or until it is golden brown and puffed.

6. Remove from oven and let cool for ten minutes before serving. To serve, cut into six portions, removing each with a spatula. Invert the pieces so that the sugar topping faces up. Serve with warm maple syrup and powdered sugar.

one jam-packed post!

I feel like summer has officially started... School's out and we have already been to the pool! I just finished my last "work" project and so now hopefully I will be able to be a more "frequent" blogger! I love this time of year- birthday parties galore, big vacation plans, and just so much to look forward too!!! Not sure how I managed to put this picture first. I like seeing Emery playing with some more "boy" toys. Ha, I just want to make sure that she's well rounded!!

Happy 1st birthday to sweet cousin Bennett!!

Okay, so I left my camera the last day of school and asked Miss Laura to take a few pictures. Do you notice anything funny in this one? the helmet?? Poor Cole- he was the only little guy in the class this year. I feel sure that he got in touch with his senstive side some!

Emery loves, loves Miss Laura. Miss Laura made this year so wonderful!

I guess I would have to say that these are Emery's best school friends. I find it so cute that even at 2 1/2 and 3, girls know to put their arms around each other.

Right after Emery's last day of school, we jumped in the car and headed to Knoxville. My brother was a part of a fellows program this last year as well as recently getting his masters. We stayed in a hotel and boy was that fun!!! Merrill was, well... perfect. Emery changed beds 4 times and rolled out of bed twice! I wish we had it on video tape. Also, anyone see something in the above picture that would bother a "person overly concerned" about germs? (emery is laying right on top of that nasty comforter!!! I had to just not think about it!)

My brother (khaki suit) and his friends. Please note girls are once again holding onto each other!

Okay.... Warning to all of you who hate pink or only see blue in your house! The below pictures will make you sick to your stomach! They are all pink and green. The ironic thing is that neither one of these colors are my favorite- much less Jim's. We call this area of our house the pink and green wing. Please laugh at the "wing" part- our house is not large!!



My sewing projects....

Emery's big girl room. I'm working on a chandlier that I'm really excited about. I'll post pictures once we're done. (note- to replace the college dorm looking one in the picture)

the nursery is still my favorite room of the house. IF, (please read IF again, jim!) we were to have a third child, and that third child was a girl, I don't believe I would change anything in here again!

Did not mean to post it twice. I mean I like it, but not THAT much!

And below are my favorite things in the girls' rooms. All of them were made by a friend or family member....

Merrill's pillow- http://www.jnjsgifts.blogspot.com/- my cousin's sell this cute stuff!! Do you see where Merrill had just spit up?nice, huh?

Natalie made this

Reid painted this

my sister did the mirror and cross

reid painted this

A fun birthday week!

Sorry its been awhile... The above picture has nothing to do with Emery's birthday, but it was taken last week on merrill's 5 month birthday!


Emery turned 3 on Sunday!!! And as everyone else says, we just can't believe it! We are so blessed to have this little girl! I kind of get sad thinking about her growing up. Jim and I love, love this stage. They are independent, but yet still need us for everything. Not sure if that makes sense!

Sisters on Emery's birthday- ready for church.

I didn't mean to make this pictures like this. Please note that my child only wore this birthday shirt on thursday afternoon at the party and sunday after church. okay?

Picture on the left- I wanted everyone to see what emery gets to eat for lunch at my grandmothers- bacon and then chocolate chip teddy grahams mixed with real chocolate chips! Yum- healthy!!

Middle picture- Emery in the dress that my mom made her for her 1 year portrait. I believe that it is finally too small. It's one of my favorites though and I'm glad that merrill will get to wear it soon! Oh yeah- Emery is standing in front of the pink iris plant that my grandmother gave me when emery was born.

Picture on right- I put this in for one reason- Never would I ever have thought Jim would be covered up with a disney princess beach towel. I love it! So far, in rearing these girls, Jim has been okay with all the pink. Well after all these birthday gifts I think he might be getting tired of it. Every present she got was pink! Even a pink princess bat, ball, and glove set from aunt jenny! But the best is Jim reading emery's new book- Fancy Nancy! So Hiliarious! You're a trooper, Jim!

Opening presents on her birthday

We had a party for Emery this year at the park. It was a really rainy day but cleared up and was a pretty nice day after all. Neither Jim nor I took many pictures, but we had a great time. I think Emery really enjoyed herself.

After playing, cake and ice cream, no nap!!

I had to put this picture in. It is of Virginia. But, I want to always remember how em says her name- Ga-ginga! I love hearing her say it and I try to get her to say it for no reason some time.

Luke and Nolan with the sidwalk chalk

Visor decorating with Nana. Jim's mom thought this would be a good idea and I think the kids really enjoyed it!

Our little neighbor Rogan (aka the Rogster) He's so adorable with his ringlet curls!

I love action shots!

Thank you sams club for this cake!

and the cupcakes too!

And to aunt amy- WOW! She made this cake for Emery's actual birthday

for some reason this reminds me of your classic prom picture!

We are so glad that God gave you to us sweet girl! We love you!!

And, since neither of these girls have blogs YET..... Congratulations to Aunt Jenny on getting 2 babies in Novemeber and to Martha Lynn for getting a baby in November too!!!

swim lessons

I have several "posts" floating around in my head, but for now it will just be a few pictures! I decided that since we will be at one pool or another most every day this summer we should do some swim lessons. I'm not sure that we'll be diving or swimming different strokes after this though! Emery was really excited about swimming- I "forgot" to tell her that it was lessons and not just play time.

making sure I'm not too far away!

notice the pink noodle. There is only 1 other little girl in the class and only one pink noodle. A few times I thought that emery wasn't listening for fear Cadmin might get the pink one!

close up view of em running (oh wait- no running on the pool deck) over to me to get praise

I'll try to post some more tomorrow!

"Don't Blink"

Well never in a million years would I have thought I would title a post with one of Kenny Chesney's songs! I must say that the little guy might be growing on me! Jim loves this song and I must say that it makes me want to live each day to the fullest!(If you aren't a country person... google it and listen!) Jim and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary this past Saturday. I truly can't believe that it has been five years! We've had fun!!

We had a very relaxing dinner at Stoney River. We had never eaten there and it was well worth waiting for! Our entertainment was watching all the high schoolers prance around the restaurant in their prom attire! Quite commical and we both agreed what an awkward stage!!! Our attempt at a picture...
I went back and looked through pictures but ended up posting pictures from 2 of the most special days of our lives...

Emery on her birthday!

another of Emery

family of three and preggers with merrill

merrill on her birthday

another of merrill

Jim and I were talking the other day about how when you are dating you never really think about how things will change. But then when they do.. it seems so normal! Here's an example... Emery walks in on Jim.. well, using the restroom and says, "Great job Daddy!" We just laughed!

Not sure if that makes sense, but it does in my head! Oh how I love my life!!

For those of you that have babies that are excellent sleepers.... I'm jealous!! Occasionally all 4 of us wake up in the same bed! And, I must say it is crowded, but I know there will be a day that it won't be like this and I'll miss it! I think I might have gotten off track, but anyway, all that to say that I can't imagine being anywhere else or doing anything else. I'm very grateful to have a husband that loves his 3 girls so much!