For this I give thanks

Thanksgiving.


It is a holiday full of food, football and fellowship. Well, at least it is this at our house.


And as we settle in for a great day of delicious dishes and afternoon siestas, I wanted to reflect and name the top ten things I am thankful for this year.


1. My Heavenly Father...who saved a wretch like me. He loves me despite all that I am and by His grace, I am saved.


2. Husband and D-Man...for without them, my world would be duller and cleaner.


3. My family (this includes all of my in-laws too)...you complete the picture and support the D-House through it all.


4. My unbelievable friends...I learn each year what true friendship means as I have those few tried and true friends who hang with me through it all. God bless you!


5. Gas prices...filling up my tank today at $37 versus the $93 it took to fill up back in the summer makes me very thankful.

6. The troops who defend our freedoms and protect our country...you guys and gals rock!


7. My bloggy friends...your consistent encouragement of this blog keeps me going.


8. All things carbs...oh how I love you and will be consuming you today.


9. My health and my healing...this year turned into a strange one with the lawnmower accident, but I am thankful that I am back and back stronger and better.


10. God continues to be in the driver's seat...keep driving us on, Father, keep driving us on.


Happy Thanksgiving everyone and remember to be safe, eat lots and take time to remember all those things you are thankful for this year.

Just when you think you've got it all together

I thought I was back.

Life reminded me there were other things more important.

I've been in Texas for a funeral.

Will be back to almost full speed on Thursday.

Thank you and have a good day.

My Life in Print

WOW!

Has it really been over a week since you graced my doorstep for some real-life, up-to-date Amy blogs?

I am sorry that I deprived you....sorry that I've kept you waiting so long.

How have you been?

(Knock, Knock) Anyone there?

Is this thing turned on?

Do I still have followers?

Doesn't that sound so...cool...Followers? Kind-of like groupies. Sounds so important.

Which I am so not...well, except to my D-Man and hopefully to my Husband (as long as they have good food and clean clothes).

Anyway, I've missed you all. A lot has happened during my time away. So much so that I don't think I can possibly tell you all about it in this one post. So, as any blogger knows, I'll be spreading the love out over the course of several days. What's some time away without some good blog stories?

And, I'll have a really great get-you-in-the-true-holiday-spirit giveaway on Friday. I'll give you a hint...well, maybe I won't.

I will give you some stories to look forward to. They may or may not involve a 3 year old, a 5 foot fall, an emergency room and some stitches. They also may or may not include 4 decorated trees...all in my house. They might even include lessons learned from a week with no computer.

Have I peaked your interest?

Tune in...more to come.

Hello? Hello? Anyone out there?

I'm still here.

Computer still not.

Please don't leave me.

Come back on Monday for lots of updates and a giveaway announcement.

How I wish that I could talk to all of you

We arrived home from Branson last night. We had a great time, but I'll have to give an update later because my computer is still on the blink and I have limited access.

Just know I am here...missing you all and wishing I could talk to you longer.

Just call it the Recap Show

Rachel at Just another Day in Paradise e-mailed me the other day to ask me to follow-up on some topics that I have talked about in previous posts. Rachel, I owe you big because I had absolutely nothing to blog about and this helps me TREMENDOUSLY!

The first question she asked about is our computer. If you'll remember, it got a virus. I sent it to our computer-guru-brother-in-law and he said it was major sick. So sick, in fact, that he was going to have to re-format the entire hard drive. In other words, start over from scratch. Lovely. Just what I wanted to hear. At least he can take care of it for little to no cost.

I hope you don't get the virus. Apparently, it is serious.

The second question Rachel asked was about the Bible study I am currently involved in. I actually have been leading this study for the past 5 weeks and can't believe what an amazing blessing it has been. I don't really know if it is my season in life or what, but every week, God has spoken to me in such a way that I feel so close to Him. I have been amazed and humbled by the fact that God wants to take me "so far" in life that the only way I can explain it is through God.

If you need a study to do, this may be it for you. It is six weeks, uses Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore and Kay Arthur and I don't think it would disappoint.

The third question she asked is one that interestingly enough has been on my mind a lot lately. She asked if I had ever considered doing some type of online Bible study? And surprisingly enough, I've been thinking a lot about it lately. God has laid this burden on my heart and I'm exploring options to see where to go with it. Pray for me and for this possible ministry.

Rachel, thanks again for the questions. If anyone else has any, please comment and I'll answer them to the best of my ability.

I'm off to pack for our weekend getaway to Branson, MO with Husband's family! I'm sure many blogging stories will be made over the weekend and I'll be back on Monday to share them.

Have a GREAT one!

Works-for-Me: Burritos in a Pan

Here at the D-House, we often times have meals that one can prepare in a flash...and ones that still taste good after they have sat around for awhile. That's just how we roll here at the D-House.

I've always wanted to say "that's just how we roll." Did I pull it off well?

Anyway, I found a new burrito recipe that I think that you all will like. It worked for me last night for dinner and so I am passing on the love. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. Make it tonight, call me and I'll help you eat it. For more great tips, check out Shannon's site!

Pan Burritos

2 lb ground beef

2 cans red enchilada sauce

1 can refried beans, warmed for easier spreading

flour tortillas

shredded cheese

garlic powder, pepper, salt (to taste)

Brown hamburger meat. Drain. Add 1 can enchilada sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper to the meat and simmer for about 10 minutes. In a 9x13 pan, spray the bottom with cooking spray and add half of the remaining can of enchilada sauce. Layer the bottom with 3 flour tortillas and then top with half of the meat mixture. Next add shredded cheese and another layer of tortillas (3). Spread refried beans on top of tortillas and top with remaining meat mixture and more cheese. Add one more layer of tortillas (3), pour remaining enchilada sauce and top with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 and then remove from the oven. Let rest for 10 minutes before serving.

Titles on Tuesday: Must See Movie

Husband and I had a chance to go see the movie "Fireproof" this weekend.

We were on a date...with no child...and popcorn...and whatever I wanted to drink.

We were also on a date with the rest of our church, but that is beside the point.

Bottom line, YOU MUST GO SEE THIS FILM!

Husband I have what I consider a wonderful marriage. We respect each other. We love each other. We laugh together. We cry together. We fight together. We work through our fights together. We parent together.

And still, this movie had an impact on us. It was a reminder of the sacredness of marriage and the sacredness of our relationship with Christ. A reminder that marriage takes work...by both parties.

The storyline plays out between a firefighter and his wife who have grown apart due to lack of communication and lack of Christ in their lives. Divorce, they feel, is the answer, but a 40 day challenge...a 40 day focus back on the basics of what Christ teaches us about marriage changes everything.

If you haven't seen it, go see it. If you have seen, tell someone about it. And, then let me know what you think. I can't wait to read your comments!

Fallen

The leaves are everywhere.

We are fortunate to live in a place that is surrounded by lots of beautiful nature.

And this time of year, the leaves, they are bountiful.And I've fallen for this cute little one.

Literally. We fell in the leaves together about a bazillion times. And loved every minute of it.

Isn't it amazing how the simplest of things can be the most amazing and fun for our kiddos?

She's Having Some Trouble

My computer...in a it of a jam.

Infected.

As in...virus.

Getting it repaired.

Hope to be back on Monday.

Don't miss me.

Works for me Toys

Shannon over at Rocks in my Dryer is hosting a blogger-tell-all Works-for-me Wednesday. She wants to know what toys our kids can't live without in hopes that your Christmas list will be filled with suggestions.

For us here at the D-House, we have three toys that are played with every single day

The first is the tumbling Curious George doll. D-Man received this doll for his birthday (July) and George hasn't left his side since. He sleeps with D-Man, he rides to school with D-Man and he has seen several states with D-Man. D-Man says, "Buy him."

The second is the Leap Frog Leapster. D-Man received this toy several months ago for mastering the potty training. He loves it and uses it daily. He loves to figure the games out on his own and won't take much direction from myself or Husband. I wonder where he gets that from? The Princess recently gave D-Man several new games and he has thoroughly enjoyed figuring these out as well. Thanks Princess!

The third toy that D-Man plays with daily and one that would add much enjoyment to your child's life is the Little People Racin Ramps Garage. D-Man received this last Christmas from NaNa RAD and PaPa. He now mostly uses his matchbox cars on it and loves the ramps and turns and jumps that the cars can do. A must buy for a boy on your list!

Well, that's all I've got. I can't wait to see what everyone else has on their lists. I hope this helps narrow down your search as you shop for the perfect gift. May your Christmas season be one of joy and peace as we remember it is more about the season than the gift under the tree.

Unchanged

Have you ever thought about the world and how it always changes.

Our hair changes.

Our hair color changes.

The leaves change.

Cars change.

Schools change.

Doctors change.

Government officials change.

Our clothes change.

Styles change.

Change is such a constant in our lives.

The change can be good...but it can be not so good as well.

Often times change is not comfortable or fun or what we want, but God's plan takes us through it and we are better for having changed.

Today a new president will be decided. He may be who you wanted or he may not. Nonetheless, I've got good news for you, my friends, God doesn't change. He stays the same. He loves us regardless. He lives to be our Father. And He is in control.

Pray for our country today and remember no matter what the outcome is tonight, God is still the same; He is unchanged.

There's Been a Little Problem...

I know I should be eating this...
But all I can think about is eating this (actually, all of these).

Thank goodness Halloween is only here one day a year. I've convinced myself that the store doesn't sell candy any other time of year. I hoping it helps. Wish me luck!