24 days...

The Hubs left on September 7th for training...that was 24 days ago.

24 days of waking up...alone.
24 days of raising our four kiddos...alone.
24 days of keeping house...alone.
24 days of eating dinner...alone...well, I had the kiddos but, it's not the same.
24 days of homework fights...alone.
24 days of sleeping in our great big, king-sized bed...alone.

24 days of saving up hugs and kisses...for my hubby! Hurry home, Babe!


psst...don't forget to sign up for the jonahbonah giveaway! I'm pickin' a winner on October 2.

today...

This is the day that the Lord has made.
I will be glad and rejoice in it.
Psalm 118:24



I will also...
open the windows and enjoy the cool, fall air...
love on my kiddos a little more...even when they don't listen and do their very best at being just a smidge annoying...
shower before noon...
clean at least one room in my house...even though the kids will be in the next room making a mess...
pretend that I'm not ALOT sad that my hubby will deploy soon...
try not to think about above mentioned deployment...
hang the spider web that I bought on clearance last year (I'm so excited for Halloween this year!!!)...
eat a leftover pulled-pork sammy for lunch...
enjoy soccer and football practice at 6:00...
have a yummy, homemade meal on the table for my family...
constantly think about Hubs coming home tomorrow!!!! WELCOME HOME, Babe!

What will you do today??? Remember to rejoice in all you do...even if you find yourself Overwhelmed by His Blessings!!!

podunk...

When my hunky hubby moved to Kentucky (he got here before us) he happened upon this little town. He saved it in his GPS as "Podunk." We've had so many people ask us if that's what it's called...no, it's not.

I'm gonna have to get more history on this little town, like the REAL name. When I do I'll update this post. update: my sister just, so sweetly, informed me that DUH! the town just might be called LaFayette!! so, there you have it. It's LaFayette, KY...maybe??

I have some photos for you to enjoy.









We especially loved the LaFayette General Store. It was built, I believe in 1931. It burned and was rebuilt in 1937. They still operate a full time General Store with deli style lunch and penny candy!!!



Come inside with me...


Check out this old Coca Cola cooler! So nostalgic!




Lots of scales too! I'd love to have one of these in my sewing studio...






They still had light bulbs...covered in dust...looking for a new home.









and...on the way to Podunk there's an Amish Farmers Market!! Best. Corn. Ever.


these pictures were all taken, on my birthday, July 31, 2009. (I'm not tellin' how old I am!)

mmm...comfort food

Have you tried these yet??? Pillsbury Real Apple Turnovers...(If you go to their website their are lots of great coupons!!! Love me some coupons!)



Holy Moly...they are goo-oood! And easy!! I'm thinking they're new, but the package doesn't indicate that....I just might be a little behind in the times...I do live on post and only have the commissary at my fingertips.


(You like that circa 1970's plate too?? Thrift Store, Baby!!! I ain't ashamed!)

Wanna know if the kiddos will like them??? I couldn't keep Jett away...he dug right in. Jake ate THREE!!!! (not pictured) I'm not so sure that's such a great idea for us gals trying to lose weight...but for my bean pole of a boy, it's just fine!!!!







Finger lickin' good ya'll!!



I almost forgot to mention...I forgot to add the icing packet that came with them. My kiddos did NOT even notice!

Little Debbie Giveaway!

Every girl loves cupcakes, right??? Right!

How would you like to drive a Smart Car that looks like a cupcake?? Even better!! No calories!! You can win it!



Other prizes include:

a GPS device,
a toy cupcake car,
FREE cupcakes for a year!!!! YUM!!

Head on over to Little Debbie and sign up! It's super easy!!! And, while you're at it, check and see if the Share-A-Thon Tour is coming to a town near you.

Oh, how I would love to go to a cupcake share-a-thon...it just sounds like tons of fun!

brothers...

there's not really a lot to say here...



it's evident in these photos that deep down these boys really do love each other...even if they get all giggly and embaressed to say it outloud!

etsy love...

As I sit here munching on some buffalo chicken dip (made by my super talented of a cook neighbor) and homemade tortilla chips (made by me), watching law & order, and perusing etsy for decorations for Ninnie's first birthday I realize that there are a bunch of talented folks out there.

Well, I mean, I already knew that but, I'm stumbling on a bunch tonight!!!

For example...


I would like one of these in every size please! (for Ninnie)


hoo me? Yep, I'm lovin' owls more and more these days. (Babe, if you're reading this...I really would love to have this owl...seriously!!!)


Remember I said I'm looking for party decorations for Ninnie...I'm searching high and low for cute something's...I came across the MOST cute banner...I will have this!!! It'll have a picture of her from each of her first twelve months! Perfect, right?

one more for the boys...since I have so many!

These little capes are are SUPER! You must have one for your little Super Boy!

Now, go shop!

happy fall ya'll...

i'm thinking fall is my favorite time of year...
well, maybe second to Christmas.

the kiddos are back in school.
the leaves in TN and KY are changing.
it's time to start buying Ninnie crocheted beanies instead of bows.
pumpkins are for sale and on display.
it's almost time to begin decorating for halloween.

are you excited?

i'm getting very excited!


(jett at the pumpkin patch, october 2008)


(jake as luke skywalker, october 2008)


(jonah and jake, october 2007)


(jett and jonah on thanksgiving, november 2008)

i can't wait for more fall pics!!!

a word from the Word...

1 Corinthians 15:33
Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character.

can you guess??

i'll give you one clue as to what Ninnie's gonna be for halloween...

(made by sewgracious)

can't guess???
i know you know.
ok, one more clue...

(made by wanderlust82)

all she needs now is a black tee (an initial tee maybe...these two gals share the same first initial, ya know?), a red tutu with scattered white polka dots, and yellow maryjanes!!!

she's going to be the cutest Minnie Mouse since...well, Minnie Mouse herself debuted!

a giveaway...CLOSED!

A winner...Chosen by random.org issssss....#4 Jolly Mom! YAY! Piera, head on over to my shop and tell me which initial/number tee you'd like and in what size.

first, i must tell you what i see right now...
jett is rolling his grapes across the floor.
then he looks up at me to see if i'm watching.
he SO knows better.

ok, so, here we go!
do you love jonahbonah?
do you own one?
want to?

these are a few of my faves...
you choose yours.







here's how you can win one of my initial OR number tees...your size, your initial OR your number!
leave a comment for each (you've done this before, i know)...SO MANY ways to win!

FIRST...go to my etsy shop and tell me which tee is your fave OR something that you'd like to see.
2. do you own a jonahbonah tee? have a picture of your little one wearing it? show me! jakemelissajakea@aol.com
3. follow me on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway. you can earn an extra entry per day when you tweet...daily!
4. follow me on blogger.
5. blog about my giveaway...don't forget to leave the URL in your comment.

this giveaway will end on October 1...that gives you plenty of time to tell EVERYONE you know!

tell your friends...

there's a jonahbonah giveaway to be posted tomorrow!!! go ahead and check out my etsy shop to see what strikes your fancy...I'm just sayin'...

see ya back here tomorrow!

argh matey...

My newest goodies are up at etsy now!!

Lookin' for a new pirate tee?? Look no further! (M2MC8)


Need some baby leg warmers to coordinate with that oh. so. fun. tee???

look at my little boys piggies...

thanks for looking!!! i hope to see you around etsy soon! *toodles*

granddaughter...

Ganny and Ninnie, Sept 2009

Strawberry creams and wonderful dreams,
Ladylike airs and teddy bears,
Fairy tales and wedding veils,
Thats what granddaughters are made of.

she loves her Daddy...

do you see it???





it's so sweet...when he talks to her, or even looks at her, she melts. Daddy's Princess!

I know you're looking at the mess in background...yeah, well, let's just say I'm not settled in just yet! :o)

are you ready for some football??

Well, the name "Overwhelmed by His Blessings" is proving to be an absolute perfect fit for my blog....and family!

If you read this blog enough, you know what I'm talkin' about...

OK. So, moving on.

Jake Austin had his first flag-football game on this past Saturday.
I was a little nervous for him. His team only had a couple of practices before they took to the field for a real game....they did great! Jake got a flag one time...YAY! And, coach let him run the ball on the last play...GO JAKE!

I have to apologize to the grandparents for my poor photos...I was trying to video tape the game for Daddy AND get photos. Next game I'll do better!





Go, Jake, Go!






On a side note...I made Breakfast Grits Casserole for dinner...holy moly!!! I'm having a great big helping as a snack now...as Jett would say "mmm...Good Stuff"
Thank you Melissa M. for the recipe!
You guys want it???

1 lb. Maple sausage, browned and drained (I use Tennessee Pride)
1 1/2 C. uncooked grits, prepared, salt to taste (I don't add any salt)
4 oz Velveeta, cubed
3 eggs

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown sausage, drain. Prepare grits according to package directions. Add Velveeta to grits, stir until melted. In a seperate bowl whip your eggs until combined...does that make sense? Add to grits mixture. Pour grits mixture into 9x9 or 9x13 pan. Sprinkle sausage on top. Bake for 20 minutes. My family has decided that a little pancake syrup is super tasty drizzled on top!!! ENJOY!