Marquix's 15th birthday

This weekend was special for our family, because my son's friend turned 15 and wanted to spend his birthday weekend with Tristyn. Tristyn and Marquix have been friends for many years. They were both still in dipars when they met back in Colby, Ks. years ago. Angelina (Marquix's mother, and one of my dear friends) brought him to our house on Friday. (They live an hour from us.) Saturday, we took the boys to see a movie and then had pizza from Pizza Hut for dinner. On Sunday, we went to church and came home for a cook out. Angelina and J.W. came and brought Marquix's cake so we could have a little party. Jeremy and Steven Kirk were both there for that as well. Everyone sang happy birthday to Marquix and he blew out all 15 candles with little effort! It was a nice time for all. I just think how blessed we are to have good friends in our lives. Little Justin is potty training, and did not have an accident all day yesterday. Today he and I are going to work on counting and read a story or two, and of course do a little coloring as well. He is really growing up. The weather in Kansas has been pretty nice the past few days. I've truly enjoyed the sun shine and a little warmer temps! Lets hope that the nice weather holds on for a while. I am so tired of cold and wind and snow. :)

The Cotton Patch Gospel

Last night, the girls and I met my friend and her daughter at the Flag theater to watch a local production. "The Cotton Patch Gospel" is a play about Jesus's life if it were in modern times in the south. The acting was very good, and the girl's and I very much enjoyed the production. It was nice that the weather had warmed up quite a lot, and we were able to get a parking spot right in front of the theater. Tristyn stayed the night with one of his friends last night, and Steven and Justin stayed home. Steven would have liked to have gone, but Justin would not sit still for three hours to watch the show. One of the neatest parts of the night for the girls, was the fact they got to meet the actors after the play was over. This morning we cleaned the house, got breakfast. I took a bath, and then went down to our little guest room to read for a while. I am making a pot of Chicken noodle soup for lunch, and Potato soup, if Tristyn comes home for lunch today. This is Lauren's first year to get to sell Girl Scout cookies and she is very excited. Today is the first day she can sell, and she is calling Grandpa and Grandma right now. :) We of course plan to buy some for after school treats and special day treats. We may try to catch one of the new Imax movies this afternoon. I will try to post the photos from last night if this site will let me. :)

The best gravy I've ever tasted!!!

My sweet sister Lori, shared this wonderful recipe with me. It makes the best gravy in the world! It is great on anything, mashed potatos, biscuts, anything you like gravy on.
Dice 2-3 slices of red onion
3 tsp of diced garlic (I buy the pre-diced kind)
6 sliced white mushrooms
8 Tbsp canola oil

saute all the veggies in the oil, on med/low heat, then add the following

6 Tbsp flour
1/2 tsp sage
1/2 tsp salt
black pepper to tast
4 tsp of nutritional yeast (can get at the merc, in the bulk section)
4 Tbsp of soy sauce

stir to make a paste, then slowly add 2 cups of water, bring to a boil for a few min. and that is it. It has the best flavor ever!!!

(the nutritional yeast can be found at most any health food store.)

Photos from the children's New Years Eve 2009 Party~

New Years Eve Party's 2009~

Last night at the Green-Birdsall home we bid good-bye to the year of 2009. Our house held two different party's last night. The little children's New Years party and Tristyn's New Year's party. There was plenty of pizza and treats to be had, and balloons hung all over our home. At the little children's party, we played games, made candy jewelry and they played school in the little school room. At the big boys party, they did some outdoor activities with Steven, and then took over the family room for their mini "man cave". :) This morning, I went down there and cleaned up a terrible mess of balloon pieces, empty water and power aid bottles, and much more. It was a fast clean up though. Steven and I stayed up to watch the New Year ball drop in New York, and then I called it a night. Steven stayed up until midnight our time, as did the boys. When I think back on 2009, I think of all the special moments I have had with loved ones. Time goes by so fast these days, and the older I get, the more I realize that every moment of every day is such a gift. My only New Year resolution is just to live life to it's fullest this year, and try to treasure the gift of each day, and count my blessings. Have a happy and wonderful New Year!!!
(I will post photos of last night's party's later today.)