John - 11 months old

Oh my word.. John was eleven months old yesterday.

Justin reminded me that in one month he will be a year old and thus the monthly picture with Mickey will end. We joked about having him take a picture with Mickey each year (even his teen age years). I don't think John will go for that, but it would be funny if 18 years from now.. I was showing you his picture with Mickey (one can only dream).

I seriously can't believe how quickly it has flown by. He is getting so big. He is crawling everywhere and so curious. He studies how things work. I would love to know what is going on in his little mind.

I love him so much!

Here is his eleven month picture.

Kid Friendly Recipe - Italian Grilled Cheese

I was talking to my hair stylist the other day and she was telling me how hard of time she was having making "real" food for her one year old. 

We can all fall into a rut with the recipes we make for our kids and family. (My rut is usually Mac & Cheese or Chicken Nuggets).

This one has been a favorite in my house lately, so I wanted to share it with you. It is so easy and I always have the ingredients on hand. 

Dream Home?

When you think of your "dream home", what picture comes to mind?

My mind goes to the above picture. This is a picture of Hulk Hogan's home. I've been in that home several times. It is only a few minutes away from the home (much smaller home) I grew up in. I babysat for them (about 15 years ago) and I used to work for his ex-wife, Linda.

I can honestly say it is the most beautiful home I've ever seen with my own eyes.

These pictures do not do it justice.

We were at my sister-in-laws house for a Super Bowl party last night. They just built a house and it is incredibly beautiful. A guy in our life group told Justin that their house was the nicest home he had ever stepped foot in.

I assure you that I will never own a home as nice as the one above or one as nice as my sister-in-law's.

Confession: I daydream of owning a home like that.

When I catch myself in a daydream, I have to remind myself... it is not the style or beauty of the house that really matters.

The atmosphere and relationships within the home are what is important. Those will make lasting impressions and will be remembered forever. Generally, it is not a home itself that causes one to be sentimental; it is the memories that took place within the home.

It causes me to ask myself, what kind of "dream home" do I want?

My "dream home" consists of a place where my husband and kids feel loved, comfortable and secure. A place where God is glorified and honored in everything we say and do.

I love this quote:


"Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave." -Martin Luther


What does your "dream home" look like?


What are you doing to make a "dream home"?


Leave a comment below, I'd love to hear.

Kate's Rap Version the B-I-B-L-E & Her Starring Role in a Church Video

Kate wanted to give me a show the other day. This is what I got. 

I have no idea why she seems mad or where she came up with this version of the B-I-B-L-E. It makes me laugh every time. 

I guess she shares my love for rap music.

I assure you, she does know the real version of the B-I-B-L-E. She sang it in a video they made for our church. (She stole the show.) You can click here to watch. (They show her in the beginning, but she sings near the end). Yes, I am a proud mama!

Happy Saturday!

Recipe: Gorilla Bread (Like Monkey Bread Only BETTER.. it contains Cream Cheese)

WARNING: This recipe may be life changing in a way that will cause you to be invited to every social event because they hope you will bring this recipe. (Of course, I'm kidding... but it is really good!)

While searching for a Monkey Bread recipe last week.. I came across this recipe: Gorilla Bread. I made it for my life group last week and they went CRAZY for it. It is going to make an appearance again at our Super Bowl party (YES! it is that good!)

I made a couple minor changes, which might be sacrilegious because it is a Paul Deen recipe and WHO AM I to change a Paula Deen recipe? (I just added vanilla to the recipe and removed the nuts).

Anyway.. Here it is in all its deliciousness.

Gorilla Bread

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla 
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
• 2 (12-ounce) cans refrigerated biscuits (10 count)

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Spray a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. 

Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon. 

In a saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over low heat, stirring well. Stir in vanilla; set aside. 

Cut the cream cheese into 20 equal cubes. 

Press the biscuits out with your fingers. 

Coat each side with cinnamon sugar. 

Place a cube of cream cheese in the center of each biscuit, wrapping and sealing the dough around the cream cheese. 

Place half of the prepared biscuits in the pan. 

Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, pour half of the melted butter mixture over the biscuits.

Layer the remaining biscuits on top.

Sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar, pour the remaining butter mixture over the biscuits. 

Bake for 30 minutes. 

Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. Place a plate on top and invert. (I can never invert it to come out right, so I just scoop out each piece and nicely arrange on a plate.)

This is also a great comfort food recipe. We had a crazy day today, so it will be enjoyed!

Here is an easier version you can copy and print.


GORILLA BREAD

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 3 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
• 2 (12-ounce) cans refrigerated biscuits (10 count)

Directions

1.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

2.  Spray a bundt pan with nonstick cooking spray. 
3.  Mix the granulated sugar and cinnamon. 
4.  In a saucepan, melt the butter and brown sugar over low heat, stirring well; Stir in vanilla and set aside. 
5.  Cut the cream cheese into 20 equal cubes. 
6.  Press the biscuits out with your fingers.
7. Coat each side with cinnamon sugar. 
8. Place a cube of cream cheese in the center of each biscuit, wrapping and sealing the dough around the cream cheese. 
9. Place half of the prepared biscuits in the pan.
10. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, pour half of the melted butter mixture over the biscuits.
11. Layer the remaining biscuits on top, sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar, pour the remaining butter mixture over the biscuits.
12. Bake for 30 minutes. 
13.Remove from the oven and cool for 5 minutes. 
14. Place a plate on top and invert.
15. Serve Warm

ENJOY!