Happy Birthday Graham!!!

Graham-

Happy Birthday !!!! I cannot believe you are TWO!!!! Time seems to fly by so quickly. It seems it was just yesterday you were sleeping in my arms and now I am chasing after you most days:) You are so active!!! There are some nights I'll go in your room, pick you up and rock you while you sleep.... just so that we can be still together. It's in those quiet times I pray over you and thank the Lord for you. I pray for the day that you realize the Lord's love for you. He loves you more than you can imagine.

It is such a joy to have you as my son. I know I am partial but I think you are the sweetest boy ever. You make your daddy and I smile everyday:) You surprise us each day with something new you can do, say or understand. You are smart, sweet, wild, funny and ALL boy!!!! Your favorite thing to do is play outside. You love tractors, books, puzzles and anything you can ride.

Graham, I treasure each and every day we have together for I know it will not last forever. I love you with all my heart sweet boy and I hope you have a BLAST at your tractor party!!

Love You,

Momma

Birthdays, Beignets, and Graham's First Haircut

We have been quite busy lately. Last week was my birthday and my sweet husband took me to New Orleans for a little R&R. We had the best time shopping and eating. We ate entirely too much but it sure was good. I had never been to New Orleans so we had to make a trip....okay...three trips by Cafe Du Monde' for these famous beignets....

One good thing about staying in the French Quarter...besides the good food...was having to walk everywhere. That way I didn't feel so bad about eating so much:)

Graham stayed with his PawPaw, GiGi, and Aunt Savannah and had a blast. He watched tractor videos each morning with his PawPaw and on the first morning we were all back home he brought me the remote and said "mama...tractors." Rotten!!!! He didn't understand that we don't have the technology that his PawPaw has:) This was the longest he had been away from me. I missed him so much and couldn't wait to see his sweet face when we got home. His birthday is Friday so I've been busy this week preparing for his big tractor party: ) For those of you that do not know Graham is slightly obsessed with tractors so I thought it was only appropriate to have a John Deere party:)

So in preparation for Graham's birthday I decided it was time for his first haircut:( I wasn't too sure how Graham would act but he did perfect. My friend, Mandi, did a great job......

Before:

After:

I just Love his curls;)

Oh, my sweet boy is growing up!!!!

SSMT # 4!!!!

Time to memorize verse # 4!!!!

Romans 15:13 -

"May the God of hope fill you with all the joy and peace as you trust in Him so that you may overflow with the hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. " NIV

I claim this verse because as a parent of a young toddler, facing the joys and frustrations of daily life can be exhausting. I am so thankful for my little blessing but at times it can just be HARD. We hit the terrible two's long ago and I feel most days are a battle of the wills. I pray for patience and a calm spirit everyday for me and Graham both. I also pray for Graham that he will desire righteousness. I pray that the Lord put respect and trust in Graham's heart for us and authority and to also give me wisdom about anything that I can do that I'm neglecting.

Lord, grant us joy and peace as we trust in you. I leave everything in your hands.



I know what you're thinking.....how can life be hard with this sweet face? He only smiled because I bribed him with candy:) HA!!

Valentine's Day Cupcakes

I love to cook. I guess that can be a good and a bad thing. I also love to make things for Jeremy that he loves. Not just on Valentine's Day but any time I get the opportunity. So last night I made him cupcakes and tonight I will be making his favorite dinner. :)

Valentine Cupcakes

FOR THE CUPCAKES:
2 1/2 cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons (2 1/4 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
1 cup granulated sugar
1 cup packed dark-brown sugar
3 large eggs, room temperature
3/4 cup sour cream
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

1. Make cupcakes: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line 28 cups of standard muffin tins with paper liners. Whisk together flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.

2. With an electric mixer on medium-high speed, cream butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy. Add brown sugar, and beat until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating until well incorporated, scraping down sides of bowl as needed. Mix in sour cream. Reduce speed to low. Add flour mixture in three batches, alternating with two additions of buttermilk, and mixing until just combined after each.

3. Divide batter evenly among prepared cups, filling each three-quarters full. Bake, rotating tins halfway through, until tops are firm to the touch and a cake tester inserted in centers comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer tins to wire racks to cool completely before removing cupcakes. Cupcakes can be stored overnight at room temperature, or frozen up to 2 months, in airtight containers.

Buttercream Frosting:

4 sticks (1 pound) unsalted butter, softened ......yes, 4 STICKS!!!
6 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch of salt

Few drops of red food coloring

Directions:
Put butter in bowl of an electric mixer. Beat on medium-high speed until pale and creamy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to medium; add sugar 1/2 cup at a time, mixing well, about 5 minutes total. Add food coloring, vanilla, and salt. Raise speed to medium-high; beat until smooth, about 1 minute more.

Happy Valentine's Day Jeremy. I hope you know that you are loved not only today but everyday ;)

SSMT # 3

Time to memorize scripture # 3.......

O Lord, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress. Isaiah 33:2 NIV

I also had to post a picture of this sweet face;)