SUCCESS

Totally pulled it off and surprised the three youngest kids. Anna, a friend, met us at the airport and then went to Sunday School to take photos. When I get them I'll share photos and more details of the homecoming.  Here is a video that Arielle took when they realized Mike was in the room.

After surprising the kids we came HOME. I had put a roast in the oven last night.....we enjoyed that. During lunch the neighbor kids dropped by. Jared had hung a big vinyl banner on our carport. They told her they'd like to know what her Dad looked like. Then they invited her to play outside. I told them we were planning to go somewhere and Stacia added, "Yes, we have to go show off dad." LOL

Michael wanted to go to the ocean....of course we did. 

Where we relaxed....

Played Pooh Shells....

And found a RED piece of sea glass.

Michael was totally surprised by Death by Chocolate. 

And we enjoyed surprises from Michael as well. We're trying to decide if we should wear them to chapel next week. 

Ah, it's unbearably sweet. We've played games, watched a movie, walked, talked.....Michael will spend the next couple of days in-processing and then we'll have two weeks of RECON. Yes, yes, yes.  We're so serious about this that I plan to take the time off teaching Bible Studies....something I didn't even do after the birth of children....but it's time. Viva la family. 

Choosing Joy!

©2010 D.R.G.

~Coram Deo~

Living all of life before the face of God...

Wonderful Day

Wonderful Day.  Busy planning surprises! I think all will be totally surprised....we shall see. 


I've told the kids that Michael will be home  Wednesday or Thursday.  

We made Death by Chocolate, Michael's favorite,  and have it in the freezer. I made a zillion Chocolate Chip cookies. Stacia actually made "Cookies for the C family" - she'd been asking when we would get the "C cooking" done. 

We also  took a plate to a friend whose dh deployed yesterday. We froze quite a few for snacks during the next two weeks - dreaming about  fun family day trips. 

I've told the kids I want to go to the 0800 service tomorrow so we can go to Towada horse park after church. I put a roast in tonight "so we can eat right after church and head out".  I discovered I'm out of gas......so have set the scene to run an errand after 0800 service and meet them at Sunday School.....I think we're set for the grand surprise.  If you've not a clue what I'm talking about, check back tomorrow afternoon. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Chocolate Chip Cookies (Twyla)

(I first had these cookies at Twyla's so around here they are Twyla's cookies. She found the recipe by searching for cookies here. I've found they take WAY more flour than the recipe called for - so much that I wonder if there is a type o. My changes in ().)

(makes 48-52 large cookies or 16 doz T size cookies)

Cream together:

1 ½ cup softened butter
½ cup oil
1 ½ cup white sugar
1 ½ cup brown sugar  (I used 3 C of Rapadura total)

Add one at a time:

5 eggs
1 Tbsp vanilla
1 tsp lemon extract

Stir in:

2 level Tbsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
2 cups wheat flour
2 cups white flour  (I ended up using  8 -9 C of flour; 1/2 hard white and 1/2 soft white wheat).

Knead in:

12 -16 oz. package Semi-sweet Chocolate chips
1c chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts

Add more white flour, kneading it in until the dough is stiff like bread dough, and the chips just begin to fall out as you knead. (I didn't knead but did add WAY more flour). 

Shape into golf-ball size balls (used the big Pampered Chef scoop), flatten slightly between palms, and lay the thick disks on a cookie sheet to bake about 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove from oven before they begin to brown. Cool on the sheet for about 5 minutes before removing. Cool completely on flat surface before storing them in an airtight container.

For more of our favorites, click the recipe tab at the top of the blog. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

One Goofball

ONE goofball extremely anticipating his Dad's return....ONE Day - so close you can SMELL it.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Fantastic Family Night

Another very full week...well lived.  Bible studies, lunches out, some school, MOPS and news....Mike is in Baltimore tonight....still not home...but certainly closer. 


There are  many surprises being planned around here; I dare not say much more....other than.....I've told the kids this would be the last family night before Dad was back. I let them know I was sure he'd be back by next Friday. Always dangerous to say, but I feel confident. If you are local, remember....Shhhhhhhh....we're surprising our youngest ones. The older ones remember one trip like that and want to recreate the moment for the younger ones.

We decided to spend this family night preparing surprises for Dad's homecoming.....finished photos will have to wait as they'd spoil the surprise if Michael happened to check the blog.... we started making his favorite dessert, we've made posters and signs.....we bought balloons (I've been assured they'll last for weeks....as I didn't want to order balloons and have a last minute change. LOL)

Jared prefers creating his masterpieces on the computer....

The rest of us gathered at the table....

I'm not sure Stacia really understands what the poster she designed is for..... but it's sweet.

And look at the Daddy Jar after they all grabbed their Daddy candy this evening. I think there may be just enough to share the last candies when Dad makes it home (though I did buy another bag today in case I need to add a few....kids are thinking Dad won't be home until Wed or Thurs so actually I'll add some tonight.....I'm stunned how my close my  "extended guess" as to a homecoming date has come.

Looks better than this one - and frankly this long nightly candy countdown may have cured me of my m/m fetish.

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Two Choices

I recently read that every choice is a seed. The thought has stayed with me...obviously not new as the name of this blog for over five years has been "choose joy".  I'm thankful to the Holy Spirit for the reminder to evaluate what I'm planting in my daily choices. 

Today - TWO DIRECTIONS to choose from (we went left before we went right). ::snort::

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...

Three!

THREE kids in front of THREE computers. 

Choosing Joy!
©2010 D.R.G.
~Coram Deo~
Living all of life before the face of God...