I made the best french toast I have ever tasted this morning!!! I found a recipe on www.blogchef.net that was great! The mixture that you dip your bread in isn't just eggs, but also has flour, sugar, cinnamon, vanilla, and a little bit of salt. I think I would lessen the sugar a bit next time so it's not as sweet, but it was DELICIOUS!!! Go check it out and try it sometime! yum!!!


The batter we dipped the bread in:


French toast cooking:


Yummy plate of french toast, garnished with
a little powdered sugar:

Where have I been??

Yes, it's been over 3 months since I've last posted on here... so I thought it was about time I did so. I have various reasons for abandoning my blog for so long. One, I simply didn't have the time to continue with sicknesses, schooling, housework, etc. And two, I honestly was going through a rough spot in my walk with the Lord. So, I stopped writing for awhile in hopes to get myself back together and then begin anew. I hope to now do this, though I can't promise frequent postings as our home can be busy at times.

Right now in my walk with the Lord, He's been showing me through many ways how I (we) need to guard our 'gates' to the soul. (ie. our eyes, ears, mouths, etc) We recently took a trip to Kansas and it was ironic that the message was specifically about that! I was both convicted and blessed by it. And so many situations around me are proving how important this is! I am reminded of a song about this very topic that I believe is very powerful. Here are the lyrics:


Be careful little eyes what you see
It's the second glance that ties your hands as darkness pulls the strings
Be careful little feet where you go
For it's the little feet behind you that are sure to follow

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
It's a slow fade, it's a slow fade

Be careful little ears what you hear
When flattery leads to compromise, the end is always near
Be careful little lips what you say
For empty words and promises lead broken hearts astray

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day

The journey from your mind to your hands
Is shorter than you're thinking
Be careful if you think you stand
You just might be sinking

It's a slow fade when you give yourself away
It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray
Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away
People never crumble in a day
Daddies never crumble in a day
Families never crumble in a day

Oh be careful little eyes what see
Oh be careful little eyes what you see
For the Father up above is looking down in love
Oh be careful little eyes what you see



On another note... my kiddos are getting so big! Michaela is really enjoying school and reading so well! One day a week we do a few pages in her science and history books... and she LOVES that! I think science is her favorite subject, though she does love reading a lot too. It's so fun to see a child love school so much. I pray the Lord continues to give her a heart that loves to learn, and me the wisdom to teach her the right way.

Hannah is still my little energizer bunny, haha. She and Josiah can get into trouble if left on their own. She is learning a lot too. She's going through a preschool 'program' that she really enjoys. And she listens many times when I'm going through a reading lesson with Michaela. Every once in awhile when Michaela doesn't know a word, Hannah will start sounding it out. It's amazing how quickly they can catch on. The reading book I'm using is "How to Teach your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons" and I can't recommend it enough! A couple ladies from Kansas had recommended that book and I am so grateful!

Josiah has his "school" work too. It's basically an old preschool workbook that was given to me, so he can trace or color or do whatever on them. He likes to fit in with his sisters. He's also started copying (mostly) Hannah, and it drives her crazy! Though I do realize he's only wanting to be like her, I have been trying to teach him that it's not nice to copy what someone else is saying. So we're working on that one.

Caleb is growing so quickly and learning many things all at once. He just turned a year old and is just now starting to pull himself to a standing position. He says mama, dada, and just said 'shoes' the day before yesterday. I think he has said "JoJo" too, but it was hard to tell. He shakes his head 'no' and bobs his head up and down for yes or if he wants something. He points at everything he wants and also does the 'more' and 'please' signs. He loves to play and is just a happy baby. Right now he's playing "peek-a-boo" with Josiah around the oven and laughing. Such joys of being a mom.

The little one that the Lord is knitting in my womb is as active as ever! It's as if he or she is saying, "don't forget about me... I'm coming soon too!" Some days I wonder how I will juggle another little one in with the bunch, but I know the Lord will give me the strength I need when this little one arrives. That's why He's given me one at a time, and not all 5 at once. :)

Brian's been busy at work with the Christmas season. But hopefully things will settle down a bit since it's over now.

Well, that's a simple summary of what's going on here in the Jefferson household. I hope everyone who comes across this is growing in the Lord and staying well. As a friend just recently said, "Today I am beginning the journey of daily death to self." Then the Lord will be able to use, shape me, mold me, etc. May you join the journey with me and the Lord be glorified!! Amen.

At the kitchen sink

I just caught myself up on a friend's blog and on her most recent post, she had this poem that I wanted to share with you all. How true it is!!

At the Kitchen Sink

Do we, I wonder, stop to think

How we need God’s grace at the kitchen sink?

It really isn’t fun

When you can’t get your dishes done.

For some folks need to fill their pans,

And others want to wash their hands;

The cook brings vegetables to scrub;

One sister has a cloth to rub;

Each little one keeps coming up

For a cold drink in a little cup.

You try to keep your water hot,

But cold drips in as well as not.

It takes a lot of prayer I think

To keep God’s grace at the kitchen sink,

Yet–I am glad that I can live

Among dear ones, who take and give.

There is a wondrous family link

Of love around the kitchen sink.

-Author unknown

More Pictures!!

Hannah and Michaela - my girls growing up so quickly!









Caleb in the high chair.












Caleb being animated. See his teeth? He's got 6 now!












Caleb being rather curious about Josiah's cheek, ouch! haha.

At Second Glance

Just the other day I ran out to Wal Mart for diapers. I had diapers and a couple other last minute items on my mind when I pulled into the parking lot. I saw a young guy get out of his car with his ball cap on, trying to look cool. Then he took it off. It hit me how much he then just looked like a normal guy. As I drove up and down a few lanes I observed a few more people. There was an elderly couple walking slowly back to their car, and a mother holding her childs hand walking along. I got Caleb out of the car and was on my way inside and was hit with all the different kinds of people there were in this one store all having their own agenda. Another young guy with baggy jeans and a fake limp, an elderly (maybe disabled?) lady sitting on a bench wiping her hand, and a poor-looking lady at the dvd machine. Then I believe God pressed something on my heart. EVERY SINGLE ONE of these people need Him! At first glace, they were just a bunch of people to dodge so I could quickly get to my goal: diapers. At second glance, they were individuals with their own hurts, needs, ambitions, etc. And they each need the Lord!! My attitude suddenly changed. I wanted to be kinder, gentler, and most of all a LIGHT! I am sad to admit that I didn't stop and talk with any of those people. Maybe I should have sat down next to the elderly lady and shown her my baby. And then maybe struck up a conversation about God? Maybe I should have went over to the poor-looking lady at the dvd machine and told her about God's love and provision - not just for our earthly needs, but for our SOULS! It's after the fact that I think of all I could have done, but maybe if I was more heavenly minded instead of focused on the daily *things* of life, then it would come more naturally. Lord, continue to give me Your eyes for all those who are lost and help me share the good news with them so they may come to you, repent, and receive all you have to offer them! Amen!!

Continued Sickness

Well, today Brian went back to work and I'm on my own battling the sickness in our family. I'm praying that Hannah will not get this sickness. Michaela is continuing to feel nauseous and Josiah threw up last night. This morning he wants cereal, but I just don't think that would be good for him. Anyway, we have postponed our trip for probably 2 weeks to make sure everyone is completely well. Thank you everyone for your prayers and support. I really do appreciate it.

Now, since I doubt I'll be able to sleep with the kids today (Caleb has been on an opposite sleep schedule lately) I may go make some coffee, haha. And I DO have some other thoughts that I'd like to post on here sometime soon. Until then...... God Bless! and stay healthy!!! :)

Started school!

Yes, I have been non exsistent in the blogging world as of late. I have been trying to spend less time on the computer and more time taking care of my family and house. We started school this past Tuesday. We have a Tues - Sat schedule because of Brian's work schedule. I'm really excited about this school year. I feel very prepared, and I'm not uptight like I started out last year. I've come to realize that school is not a system of rigid text books that we need to get done and out of the way. On the contrary, it's to develope a love of learning and stems from there. My children are excited each day about school time, and I hope to keep it that way. I know it won't always be "fun", but even when there is hard work involved later on, I think it will still end with a good feeling of a job well done. I'm also excited with the propect of learning more through teaching. For example, Michaela is going through drill cards on addition. I've never actually memorized my addition. I usually mentally count up to get my answer. So it will be nice to learn along with her in different areas like this.

These past two days Michaela has had diarrhea and last night she vomitted. Today Josiah started with the diarrhea. So I pray that it stops there, and those two have a quick recovery. We have a trip planned this coming weekend and into next week... so please pray for us that this will run its course quickly. Thanks!! Leave me a quick comment and tell me how you all are doing (those who haven't given up on me already, haha)