update

June 27, 2006 at 6:39 pm · Filed under On the range

So, I’m writing to let you know the week Matt’s mom was here was great! We had so much fun! We worked on projects that we had started and had a ton of playing w/ Jaimes! Fun, Fun!

We’ve been house-sitting this week. I’ve been responsible for a dog, cat, two snakes and two fish and a Jaimes! Really, Matt’s done the feedings in the am, so it’s been easy. They have a community pool in the neighborhood so we’ve tried to take advantage of that perk as much as possible. Jaimes has done SO well! Floating on her back, going under water, jumping in from the side (and I should add some high jumps).

We’ll be leaving for vacation over the holiday weekend. If you have any tips on getting a toddler to drive from TX to TN, I’d love them!! About an 15-18hr drive…I figure treats, songs, books, a drawing board and a travel magna doodle? I’ll try to post some pics once we get back.

On another note, Matt and I are joining together in blogging. We’ve (or he’s) got his blog up at www.donovanhouse.com

Hopefully, I’ll be getting my stuff over there soon.  *edit*  Just checked it out…he’s got it there!  I guess you should make your changes now :)

Comments (2)

Hard in Dallas…part 2

June 13, 2006 at 4:38 pm · Filed under On the range

Our sermons at church have been on loneliness which have been good for me to sit through. You can find them here. They are acutally not up yet for a download but they would be worth checking back for. The pastor's name is Paul Matthies. The hebrews sermons are also excellent!!

Anyway, I'm doing better this week. During this time God has shown me deeper problems to this loneliness, which I am so thankful for.

Matt's mom is coming into town today! She's just the beginning of the trips and visitors for the summer. I'll try to post a pic or two later this week.

Comments (1)

Hard in Dallas…

June 8, 2006 at 7:04 pm · Filed under Pray, please

I've been having a hard time living in Dallas.  Mostly because roots haven't been planted yet.  I guess they are starting but I'm not content with the speed.  Not feeling like we know enough people along with all of the other emotions of moving the past 2 years in a row. 

Honestly though, that's not it (atleast not wholly) because we are in an awesome home group, which God has answered prayers for friendships.  I would be lying if I told you I didn't have people to laugh with, if I didn't have people to encourage me to use my gifts, parents to call and see at a moments notice, a husband that works his butt off for our family and that loves me with all he has, a daughter who gives hugs and kisses when asked, she laughs and makes faces and even gives me tissues with empathetic hugs when I cry.  Some would say that I have it pretty good. 

I know that my sin is wrapped up in this which is why I'm in this valley.  If it comes to mind, please pray for me.

Comments (2)

Dutch Baby!

June 2, 2006 at 1:57 am · Filed under Recipes

Saturday was not our typical Saturday although we hope for more of these Saturday's. We woke up and had all the ingredients for this family fav! Thought I'd share it with all of you! Enjoy!!
 Ingredients:

3/4 C unbleached flour

1/2t salt

4 eggs

2/3 cup of milk

2 T of butter (1T melted, one not)

1 or 2 bananas, peeled and sliced

2 T of brown sugar

1/2 t ground cinnamon

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, eggs, milk and 1 T of the melted butter.

Heat the remaining 1T of butter over medium heat in a 10" oven proof skillet (cast iron works great). Add the bananas and 1T brown sugar. Cook, stirring occasionally, just until heated through and the sugar melts, about 2 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon.

Rewhisk the batter and then pour into the pan, stirring briefly to scrape the fruit from the bottom. Transfer to the oven and bake until the pancake begins to puff around the edges, about 10 minutes. Sprinkle evenly with the remaining 1T brown sugar and bake until very puffed and golden brown, about 5 minutes. Serve immediately and cut into wedges.

**Don't have a cast iron skillet or other oven proof skillet? Cook banana's, sugar and butter in skillet then move to an oven proof container, like a glass or metal pie dish.

***I think you could also through some other fresh fruit in here also but haven't tried that yet.

If you are a visual person :)

 freshchoices.jpg

Comments (2)

change…

May 25, 2006 at 6:45 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

Ok, so I've changed the look.  The font was a bit too small in the past theme.  This a bit too pastel but I think I can live w/ it for now.  You may see some more changes but for now it's this.

Leave a Comment

Secret thoughts of an Adoptive mother

May 24, 2006 at 7:02 pm · Filed under books

I highly recommend this book!!

0967214319.01._SCTZZZZZZZ_.jpg

*Edit*

Why do I think this book is so good? 

Hmmm.  We'll, I've already returned it to it's owner so I can't just copy what's on the back.  Basically, it's a woman's story of infertility and adoption of her biracial child.  She and her husband are white (and Jewish)  and thier little boy is Hispanic, African American and Caucasiun.  Jana Wolff's insights me laugh and cry.   I love people who are able to be real and honest about what is on their mind. This book lets you into her heart and mind while walking on the beautiful road of adoption.

Comments (1)

Friday on Oprah…

May 22, 2006 at 6:50 pm · Filed under thoughts

This past Friday Jaimes and I had a fun play-date and then hung out w/ my dad (or as jaimes would call "baa-ba") until my mom came home from work. Whenever we go over there we watch TV. Jaimes loves it, no LOVES it! Especially when she's eating cheezit's or pretzels. I use this time to watch shows like Oprah and the Ellen DeGeneres show to, uh, stay "in touch" w/ culture. Give me a break, I don't have a TV and sometimes it's nice to watch and visit w/ family.

faith-dog.jpg

My point…This past Friday on O (sorry if you've seen this I wanted to explain for those who abstain from talk shows) they had a bunch of touching stories about people who are survivors "Against All Odds". For example a boy who tragically had been stabbed multiple times by his father, a man who lost his legs due to a large boulder falling on them but the story that I saw that made the most impact was a dog with just it's two hind legs that could WALK!!

The story is that this pup was born w/ the two front legs deformed. Somehow, a little boy/girl** found the mother dog in the act of suffocating this little pup, then have a clip of the child's mother saying this pup just looked into our eyes saying "give me a chance**". Anyway, this new adopted family was told by their vet the dog should be put down, it's going to be impossible for it and will rub a hole in her chest and chin. This adoptive family decided to let the dog live and love it. (**or a phrase similar remember, I'm watching this show while with my two year old. If you've seen it and remember better let me know.)

After all of the video clips show, out comes this dog that is walking on it's hind legs. It's amazing, you almost can't believe what you are seeing! Everyone ooh's and awes! A commercial break and a teary Oprah comes back on and say's "if this dog can walk with just two legs think of what we can do…". Oprah, you are not a reader of my blog but if you happen to stumble across this YOU can talk about the innocent children killed because our culture says it would be better for someone to die than live with a disability!! Talk about the CHILDREN who have overcome so many things because a family has loved them!

                                                                                                                           faith-dog.2.jpg

Actually, I think, doing is only part of it. Seeing the beauty in life is necessary too. And don't children have so much more worth than dogs? Their stories more awe inspiring?

Comments (2)

For Sember…

May 18, 2006 at 2:45 am · Filed under On the range

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4. "woman may long for the 'chaos' of a family, she must not"

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can. What can you touch? DVD "Elmo's World: Birthday's, Games and More"

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV? Son of the Mask…at my parents we watched enough to confirm our thoughts, it is a stupid movie, and then went to get dinner.

4. Without looking, guess what time it is. 9:45pm
5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time? 9:39pm
6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear? The hum of air conditioners and an airplane flying over

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing? Around 6ish, going to pick Matt up at the bus station.

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at? The WordPress pages.

9. What are you wearing? A pretty dyed shirt and khaki shorts

10. Did you dream last night? I'm sure I did but I can't remember.

11. When did you last laugh? I'm not sure but I know it was something Jaimes did or said.

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in? Nothing, I'm in the "sunroom". It's just an extension of the living room.

13. Seen anything weird lately? The Bear and the Blue House video "Potty Time" Jaimes watched this afternoon.

14. What do you think of this quiz? my insecurities

15. What is the last film you saw? The Motorcycle Diaries (I think)

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy? Pay off debt, buy another car, house, something huge for my parents, and begin planning a bon-fire party w/ every friend and family member we have.

17. Tell me something about you that I don't know. Jaimes looks for sill wms (silk worms) all over the house.

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do? How people view money and debt.

19. Do you like to dance? yes, but structured dance like swing. Not where you make stuff up as you go.

20. George Bush: hmm, well.
21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her? Jaimes, of course.

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him? I'm not sure…I love the name Tate which means happy. Matt doesn't like it. We've talked about Clive and some other names that just don't fit. One name that we both really like has been Nathan or Nate

23. Would you ever consider living abroad? Definitely YES, I'd love to but not sure where.

24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gate? Well done.

25. Four or Five people 1 person who must also do this quiz in THEIR journal: LA Donaldson

Comments (8)

We’ve got virtual drinks and cookies at the back…

May 16, 2006 at 5:46 pm · Filed under On the range, Uncategorized

Hi friends and family,

Welcome to Donovan House! This is our family blog, what's happening with us, I promise pictures of Jaimes, lots of my rambling, possibly unclear thoughts and bad grammar.

Different categories I plan to have are…Art and inspiration, in the car (my thoughts when I'm there and I am in that Taurus A LOT!), On the Range (home stuff), Pray, please (I may need you to pray for me), and Recipes (trying healthy stuff and just want to share). There could be more topics to come but this is all I foresee right now.

PLEASE, please leave a comment for me because I'll be more apt to write more :)

Comments (1)

Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.