Have a Happy New Year

To continue with my Christmas post, the Christmas was full of sorrow and joy. Let me explain!

 Sarah and Lida at Umi's

We celebrated with our daughter Sarah while she was here by going out to a Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar for lunch and then back to our children's home in Starkville for play time, dessert and  to open gifts.

Time to take a spin

Our happy baby boy.

No, this was not her Christmas

Our photo shoot

We took our daughter Sarah to Jx for a wedding and to catch her flight for home. After she went to board her plane we left for Greenwood to prepare to return to Starkville for Christmas day.

Early Monday morning we recieved a text that our babies were sick and the kids said that they would understand if we didn't want to come to their house for Christmas. After talking the situation over Honey and I decided that we would go ahead with our plans and maybe we could help with the sick babies, at the time we didn't know it but this was a God thing. We had a fun Monday night filled with rocking sick babies and lots of cooking. We were up most of the time Monday night with the baby because of his not being able to breath and also teething.

Monday morning bright and early my Dad knocked on the door he was here for the day. We were excited that he decided to come although the babies were sick.

I played Santa Claus during the night and we were exicted to see Austin's reaction when she saw what was under the tree.

She seemed stunned when she saw the doll she had asked for, she didn't try to touch it she just stared.

Talking about the gifts while Daddy looks on.

A bag for Gammy's house

Benny Boop and his MSU football and got a cowbell too. 

He's all boy loves wheels, balls and making noise! 

Click on the photo at the bottom of the page to see lots more photos of our Christmas.

We lost two precious souls during the holiday, our lost is heavens gain!

Uncle Bob was a retired Baptist preacher who never really retired although he tried too many times. I cherish the way he led his family by example and his love for us all! He is in a better place now and he will be greatly missed!

Before lunch Christmas day our son received a phone call that he was needed in another town. His best friend had died unexpectedly, what a blow to us all. He and Ash hurried off to be with the family and I took care of dinner and the sick kids. Thank the Lord my Dad and Honey were there to help!

Chris Rushing was a special person! I can't began to list the wonderful things he has done for our family! He will always be remembered for his loving, sweet, gentle spirit and the love he has shown! I'm disappointed though that I didn't get to help set him up with the woman of his dreams, I tried a few times. Now he is in a MUCH better place with others that loved him as we did and one day we'll all be reunited once more.

Thank the Lord that we know where both of these precious souls are, it helps us to endure the sorrow we feel!!

Have a Happy New Year friends, we never know when it may be our last.

Thanks for stopping by y'all and please come again soon!
 

Good Friends, Good Food and Gluten Free

We had a fun New Year celebration, lots of gluten free food and fun with family and friends. One of the greatest things was the Bulldogs won their bowl game!

Of course Punkin was the center of attention. She is talking our ears off but still in a foreign language.

She spent time with everyone in the house.

 

Friday night we stayed up and brought in the New Year while playing board games. We put Punkin to bed but early Saturday morning Ben came dragging her downstairs it seems that Punkin decided when Dad and Mom came to bed she was ready to celebrate New Years and she did, all night long.

We watched her while Ben and Ash went to watch the football game with friends. And let me tell you, she was soooo easy, she was worn out and slept straight through from the time they left until after the game. Then we all went to Starkville to meet them and have supper together before we said our good-byes.

Thank you Mark and Karen for your visit!!!!

 She had to wear her Maroon and White to Starkville on gameday!

Punkin enjoyed her meal then went back to sleep and slept until the next morning, bless her heart!

Today Honey and I have been making plans to go see our other babies. As we grow older and slow down some we're planning to spend more holidays with them. Sometimes we just have to use our growing older as a benefit and not a limitation!

We're thankful for God's blessing in 2010 and for his promising to see us through 2011!

Happy New Year with GLuten Free Caramel Chip Bars

New Years blessings just for you!

I don't remember where I got the original recipe of this, if it was you Mary I'm sorry! :( If it was you and you would like to be connected to it as posting the original PLEASE contact me through twitter or my e-mail and I would love to connect you to it.

I have taken it and transposed it to be gluten free and it looks GREAT and better yet it taste GREAT! Sorry friends Honey and I had to try just one piece we wouldn't want it to make you sick or anything.

Caramel Chip Bars

1/2 c. butter
1 pkg. caramel bits (11-oz) or 32 caramels
1 can (14-oz) sweetened cond. milk
1 pkg. (15-oz.) gluten free yellow cake mix
1/3 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs
1 pkg. (12-oz) miniature semisweet chocolate chips
1 c. vanilla or white chips
1 Heath candy bar (1.4-oz.) chopped

In a lg. saucepan, combine the butter, caramels and milk; cook and stir over medium-low heat until smooth. Cool, in a mixing bowl, combine the cake mix, oil and eggs; mix well. Stir in chips and chopped candy bar (dough will be stiff).

Press three-fourths into a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking pan. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.

Place on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Pour caramel mixture over the crust. Drop remaining dough by spoonfuls onto caramel layer.

 
Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

Cool for 10 minutes; run a knife around edges of pan. Cool 40 minutes longer; cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until served.

It's not too late bake you up some for that New Years party and again Happy New Years ya'll.

See ya next year!