Laurie's Life

Back in August, Sarah Kate attended the birthday party of one of her best friends, Caroline.  Her mom, Aimee, is one of the best cooks ever.  In fact, she is one of those people who can do anything. She knows how to run a home and how to raise GREAT kids!  Plus, she is soooo funny! I fell in love with this cake at the party and went completely nuts over it.  Unfortunately, I've made it at least six times since Aimee gave me the recipe in late September. Aimee got the recipe from a college friend's grandmother. 2 cups flour 1 3/4 cups sugar 3/4 cups cocoa (I like Hershey's) 1 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 2 eggs 1 cup whole milk 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 tsp vanilla Mix everything together in mixer and then add 1 cup of boiling water.  BE CAREFUL pouring that water in because it can splash out and burn you!  I turn off mixer and stir in hot water with a spatula and then turn mixer back on.  Batter is very ru...

Both my girls love to dress up for Halloween.  I've learned that their costumes are never a waste of money because they wear them to two or three different events before Halloween even gets here!

Oh MY GOODNESS!!!!!  I have not posted in so long, that I nearly forgot how! Our life in a nutshell: Steve and I celebrated 12 years of marriage on Oct in 16th.  We spent three nights in Branson.  We love that place!  Hello Cantina Larado, IMAX, shopping and dinnerat the Keeter Center!  I could not be happier!  Steve and I both (mostly Steve) needed a break from everyday stress of life! Sarah Kate got to meet Miss America!!!! Middle school is HARD!!!!!!  But, Emily is doing great!  It's like being in the 9th grade!  But it's only 5th grade!

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"Who have you made mad?"  That is the question the urgent care Dr. asked me after about 30 seconds of examining me.  While we were at the beach, I developed a sore throat on Tuesday evening.  I blew it off as a Summer cold and was determined to enjoy my vacation despite the discomfort. Thursday, I felt so bad that I could not get out of bed until almost noon. My ears had stopped up and my left ear hurt from so much pressure.  It was oozing too.  I was also SO HOT!  I never get hot, but I could not seem to cool down.  I knew there must be something bad wrong with me! Determined to enjoy the beach, I walked down to the shore for about a thirty minute rest on the chair.  My sore throat seemed to go away while I was down by the water.  It was some strange phenomenon.  Friday we had our twelve hour drive home.  I sat there in the passenger seat in misery. Saturday morning I saw a Dr.  He diagnosed me with strep throat ...

I've not been blogging lately and there is no good excuse.  Nothing much exciting going on with me!  Steve has been running like Forrest Gump lately.  I've been trying a walk a little each week. My Emily will be in middle school next year!  Seems unreal.  She is very excited about this transition and I hope and pray her enthusiasm will continue! I always complain about my favorite products being discontinued, but Pottery Barn made me shout when I discovered they brought back their Quince candle!  I hoarded a few! More later......

I feel like I am about two years behind on all technology!  I did not figure out until about a week ago how to download my phone pictures onto my computer.  My phone is my main camera.  Here are some of my favorite phone pictures.  I had a nice reunion with childhood friends in Prosper Texas.  We had such a FUN time! A friend texted a couple of weeks ago asking what my most favorite candle ever was.  I sent her this picture! And then I always find silly selfie pictures of Emily!

"Only one life, twill soon be past.  Only what's done for Christ will last."- C.T. Studd "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."  John Piper "Worry does not empty tomorrow of it's sorrows; it empties today of it's strength."  Corrie Ten Boom "We never grow closer to God when we just live life.  It takes deliberate pursuit and attentiveness," -Francis Chan "People do what they WANT to do."-  Laurie Ormon

During the Fall Sarah Kate saw a commercial numerous times on the kid's channels advertising an ice cream maker for kids.  She wanted it and would call me over to watch the commercial every time it came on.  We had experience with these kid ice cream makers in the past and they made about 3 table spoons of ice cream.  Not worth it!  I suggested she ask for a REAL ice cream maker.  We have a very nice traditional maker, but it requires lots of ice and rock salt, etc.  In other words, a lot of trouble.  Steve's parents got us this easy breezy ice cream maker for Christmas.  It was our family gift.  SK was thrilled.  This is not the typical time to make ice cream,  but it's fun and new and we HAD to try it out!  In fact, we've tested it three times now! It would not be right if I didn't share my FAVORITE ice cream recipe! Let me start by telling you that I guess I have weird taste in ice cream.  I adore ice cre...

Our girls are growing up so fast and I have decided raising them gets a little harder every year.  Little kids, little problems.  Big kids, big problems. These girls are seeing that life is hard and they are learning to navigate through new waters. I have to be their parent.  NOT their best friend. I have to be in constant prayer for these precious girls that God has entrusted us with. And people tell me it only gets harder!  UUUHHHHGGGGGGG........

 Three weeks ago today, Kelly and I left for Kelly's parents house to spend the night and then travel on to Mansfield Missouri to the Laura Ingalls Wilder museum.  I don't remember ever having such a wonderful time.  Everything about the trip was great.  I think I smiled the whole time.  Kelly and I laughed and talked and had so much fun.  The girls loved it too!  I have ALWAYS loved watching Little House on the Prairie.  My girls like it too, but not as much as I do.  I think I could have stayed at the museum two days.  It was so interesting to think about the real Laura and Almanzo.  I ate it up!  Sarah Kate did not want to lose her ticket.  She held it the whole time!  Here is where the Wilders did their banking I want to go back.  In fact, I want to work there! ha!

We celebrated our 11 year anniversary a little early this year.  Our anniversary is not until the 16th, but this was the weekend it worked out for grandparents to come stay with our girls. We spent the weekend in our "go to"our place, Branson!  We enjoyed three great meals at some of our favorite places!  We love Cantina Laredo, Joe's Crab Shack and Landry's.  Cantina Laredo has my favorite steak and salsa! We also saw Everest in the IMAX theater.  It was really good!  I was able to do some good shopping at the Tanger Outlet mall. It was just good and healthy to get away together for a while!  So thankful! ( You know you are staying in a nice hotel when they have robes for you!)

Here is the one picture I took this weekend with my regular camera.  I went with two of my favorite friends to Nashville last week for the Dot.mom Conference.  This was my third time to go!  It did not disappoint.  I learned so many new things about being a mother.  I am so thankful that Lifeway offers this conference. It was good to get away and have girlfriend time!  We had so much fun together.  We had many laughs and really good food!  I need to travel with these girls more often because I came home weighing two pounds less than when I left.  WEIRD!  I ate a LOT of food! Christy Nockels led worship and it was incredible!

I have always had oily skin, but it has gotten better with age.  I have noticed in recent years that my cheeks seem to get a little flakey.  ( I know some people that way too!)  I talked to my dermatologist about it this Summer and she suggested I use Nizoral shampoo on my face about three times a week.  Nizoral is very expensive dandruff shampoo, but it has really helped my complexion.  I am also using Cetaphil and this Clarisonic.  These are doing the trick!

These girls are growing up too fast!  They are now in 2nd and 4th grades.  They wanted to dress alike and I thought that was so fun!  Hoping and praying they will both have their best year of school yet!

 I was in a pharmacy today to pick up a couple of gifts.  I spotted these Jelly Bellies at the checkout.  The pharmacist and the checker were so excited about them and told me all about them.  The trickster/immature side of me could not resist!  I was sold.  In fact, I bought three boxes. One is a good flavor and one is a DISGUSTING FLAVOR.  You don't know which one you will get. I got to the car to dig into my new found beans.  The first flavor was baby wipe.  Tasted just like Baby Fresh wipes.  Not that I have tasted a baby wipe, but just like you think one would taste.  It was tolerable.  Second was canned dog food.  Tasted just like it!  SO GROSS, but I ate it.  THEN.......skunk.  THE WORST THING I HAVE EVER tasted.  I spit it out on the street as I was driving.  That was all I could do.  The taste is still with me. I showed the girls this afternoon and SK dared me to eat the barf o...

 Oh how I wish I was at Disney World right now!  Today is a busy day!  I also have a cavity I have to get filled today.  No fun!  We LOVED eating at Coral Reef.  I hate wonderful shrimp and grits and a flourless chocolate cake.  SO GOOD!  In our room at Port Orleans.  I loved the atmosphere at Ohana!  I also enjoyed the chicken, steak, shrimp and bread pudding!  THIS was the only time at DW I got hot.  We stood in the sun for about 30 minutes to meet Pluto. We can't wait to go back!

 Week before last, we went on our second Disney trip!  We had looked forward to it for a LONG time!  Our flights there were good!  I am always thankful for a smooth plane ride!  Flying makes me super nervous!  Always has, always will. They first time we flew to Orlando, SK got sick on the plane.  She did not have any problems this time.  Here we are about to take off.  I think everyone that goes to Disney World, takes a picture right along here.  THIS is the highlight of SK's Trip!   BB Boutique.   We had dinner at the Grand Floridian with Cinderella and Company.  When we did this two years ago, the food was not very good.  This time it was a new menu and so much better!  SHE was so proud of this hair!  Emily looking so beautiful!  The wicked Stepmother said that she pretends she smells something horrible for the pictures.  Ha! We ALL had such a WO...