It's a Zoo out there......

We decided to take advantage of our temporary "winter warm-up", and head for the Zoo today. Unfortunately, I think everyone else had the same idea. We waited in traffic for over an hour before we finally got in the gate.

Michael must have asked us at least 15 times "Are we to the zoo yet?"...

We started with seeing the elephants, hippos, anteaters and more.....
Then we visited the Insect house, the boys were so excited to see the spiders, beetles and butterflies.

We stopped and had a snack and then Michael was dying to ride the train, so we waited in line and relaxed on a 20 minute ride around the zoo.
We were able to catch feeding time for the sea lions and then visit the reptile house, this is the boys favorite place for sure. They are obsessed with turtles, frogs, lizards and snakes. I have feeling that whether I want it or not, we will eventually have one of these for a pet :)

After spending the afternoon at the zoo, we decided to head to the Spaghetti Factory. The boys had been asking to go lately, and we decided that this would be the perfect time. There can sometimes be an hour or more wait, but since we were there before 5:00, we only had to wait about 15 minutes. We had a yummy dinner, full of lots of carbs :) We finished it off with dishes of spumoni ice cream for the boys. There was even a balloon guy that made each of them their own turtle to bring home. I don't even have to feed these :)
I love days like today.....when we have "nothing" to do, but do so much!

Prayers Needed!!!!!

Please pray for Abby, she is not doing well tonight!
Lord, please be with this precious little girl and her parents!

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.

(James 5:13)

Food for Friday.....

I heard about this chili recipe contest from this blog.(Thanks Liz & Heidi) :)

I decided to use the chili recipe that my best friends husband Brent gave me. It is so yummy!

(I know I posted it once before, but it is the perfect time of the year to make this!)

Fire Roasted Irish Chili
1 ½ lb sirloin about 1 inch thick (coat with chili powder, cumin and chipotle cook to medium, dice and set aside)
Brown 1 ½ lbs coarse chili beef with the following Ingredients:
½ cup chopped green onion
½ cup chopped red onion
½ tbsp chili powder
½ tbsp chipotle chili powder
½ tbsp ground cumin
Bring to boil 2 14.9 oz cans Guinness with the following ingredients:
2 tbsp Hungarian paprika (adds smoky flavor)
½ cup chopped red onion
2 tbsp chili powder
2 tbsp chipotle chili powder 1
½ tbsp ground cumin
2 tbsp granulated beef soup base
12 oz tomato paste
2 tbsp lt. brown sugar
2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
*Make sure beef base is completely dissolved
Combine drained beef with the grilled sirloin and the Guinness base with 1 28oz can Fire Roasted Tomatoes Drain and rinse 2 cans black beans and 2 cans of red kidney beans in a strainer. Let dry.
1 hour before chili is served, add beans.
Cook on low heat for 3 hours.

Hi/Lo Thursday

"Hi/Lo Thursday" posts started on the Riggs Family Blog

(http://www.riggsfamilyblog.com/)

If you have not visited their blog, you should...it is worth the read!

They could really use our prayers right now for Abby & the whole family!

My Hi's for the week...

Finding out our friends are pregnant!

Getting my new cell phone, a Palm; it is going to keep me organized for sure! I love it :)

Getting our new fireplace in and working in the our great room-very cozy!

My Lo's for the week...

Both boys getting sick with a yucky virus :( I feel so bad when they are sick, especially throwing up!

When Michael threw up on Friday he was actually sleeping with my pillow, those of you who know me well, know that I have had the pillow for a long time! I had to throw it away and have not slept well since.... I am on a new pillow search, not an easy task :(

Pray for me...Pray for others.....

I participate in "Pray for Me... Pray for Others" on the Riggs Family Blog. Check out their blog to add your prayer request.

Wednesday is now known as "Pray for me...Pray for others" on the Riggs blog - and they want blog authors to post their prayer request and then post a prayer request that they have for another person/family/situation.
Pray for me.... .

Just to be the best wife and mom that I can be to my three boys,

I am so blessed to have them!
Pray for others...
Our friends who completed IVF, and just found out that they are pregnant(YEA!), praying for a pregnancy without any complications.

Praying for sweet Abby, that she will be able to tolerate this round of chemo!

My friend Lucy who is 30 weeks pregnant with her precious baby boy and feeling anxious and nervous about the next few weeks & her delivery.

For Tuesday's Family, as they mourn the loss of their precious daughter.

Answer me when I call to you, O my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; be merciful to me and hear my prayer.

Psalm 4:1

Wordless Wednesday

*I was at the gym, looked down and saw this!

Can you believe it??

Did you know......

44 ODD Things about me.....

This was sent to me by several of my friends....enjoy!

I hope to be able to make a post tomorrow, we have had another busy weekend.

.1. Do you like blue cheese? Yes!
2. Have you ever been drunk? Yes

3. Do you own a gun? No

4. What flavor of Kool Aid was your favorite? Grape

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Depends
6. What do you think of hot dogs? Baseball game only

7. Favorite Christmas movie? It's a Wonderful Life

8.Mom's name? Diane Irene

9. Can you do push ups? I wish, never really could :)

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? My necklace with the boys names and Dave's initials

11. Favorite hobby? Blogging

12 Do you have A.D.D.? Sometimes

13.What's your weight? More than it should be.....

14.Middle name? Lynn

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment? I am tired!, Sad for Kurt Warner! God is Good!
16. Name 3 drinks you regularly drink? water, coffee, spiced tea

17. Current worry? The future

18. Current hate right now? ???

19. Favorite place to be? With my family

20. Ever been in a car accident? Yes, hit by a drunk driver when I was 18, car was totalled and broke my nose!

21. Where would you like to go? Vacation with my family

22. Name three people who will complete this? Mindy, Nat, Denise

23. Do you own slippers? Several pairs

24.What color shirt are you wearing right now? white

25. Do you like sleeping on Satin sheets? NO!

26.Can you whistle? Nope

27. Favorite color? green, pink

28. Would you be a pirate? No

29.What songs do you sing in the shower? None
30. Favorite Girl's Name? Evie, or Molly

31. Favorite boy's name? Matthew & Michael

32. What's in your pocket right now? No pockets

33. Last thing that made you laugh? My boys

34. Best bed sheets as a child? I can picture them , but??

35.Do you love where you live? Yes, and no

36. Worst injury you've ever had as a child? Fell out of bed and had to get butterfly stitches above my eye. Shot in chest with B-B Gun....

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 8(YIKES)

38. Who is your loudest friend? ????

39. How many dogs do you have? 1 Bailey

40. Does someone have a crush on you? Doubt it.....

41. What is your favorite book? Notebook, by Nicholas Sparks

42.Diet? All the time

43. Favorite sports team? Cardinals

44. Favorite song to be played at your funeral? I have several....On Eagle's Wings..... and many more.