Christmas Card

This is my first linky dink - I sure hope I did it right...if not someone feel free to instruct me!!

Our Christmas Card. Sometimes it is planned out for days and then WOW. Sometimes I slave over my stamp sets and paper for weeks preparing the masterpiece (at least it is to me the gal that really wants to be crafty but it does not come naturally to me). And then there are some years that "Oh, Christmas cards...guess I better do that." Well this year is one of those years. Thanks to Faith for starting the Christmas Card Carousel , it inspired me to go for it. Many of you know how much I love my computer and really love creating things with it...well here is what I came up with thanks to Scrapblog for the template!

The transformation has begun!!!

John is on vacation this week and he LOVES to do hunny do's on his vacation (he would really rather be fishing but he loves me and does the hunny do's first). This vacation he is starting off by painting my kitchen. Many of you that have been over in the last year may have noticed that we got new countertops in January...but we did not paint the kitchen and we had this cool new texture - glue from the back of old formica on the walls. Well not anymore!!! I can't wait to show you the pictures. It will be done tonight so stay tuned!!!

Halloween 2008

We had a fun evening planned but when we got word of some not so fun stuff happening at John's work this week we decided to cancel in case we needed to be more focused on something else...So when we were saved from this months layoffs we decided to go ahead and just take the kids down the street to trick or treat. This was our first year to get to trick or treat. The kids usually go to a Fall Festival or we just don't do anything because they had enough Halloween fun at preschool.

James was a Recycling Man...he was totally excited about it - not many others really knew what he was but he did not care one bit!

Jorja was a Fairy Princess...she could not decide if she wanted to be a fairy, princess or a pumpkin...my original thought was to make her an orange fairy princess but that idea came to an end when the only wings we could find were pastel. So here we have a beautiful fairy princess.

Kirstin's Meme - Quirky Things About Me

My dear friend Tamara has tagged me. I am to do a meme - 5 quirky things about me. Glad there is a limit - because I am pretty quirky!

5 Quirky Things About Me:
The rules: Post 5 quirky things about yourself. Post a recent picture so we can all look at you and laugh as we read about how interesting (weird) you are.

1. I never use the first toilet in a public restroom. No need to explain.

2. All the Christmas wrapping paper has to match. I can't stand to look under my tree and see an assortment of unmatching wrapping paper. This actually drives John crazy - so I try not to be too vocal about it but inside I just want to re-wrap everything.

3. It takes me twice as long to go through the meat department at the grocery store than it does to do the rest of the grocery shopping. In HS and College I was on the Meat Judging Team. I really enjoyed it and still love comparing and judging beef, pork and lamb. Sometimes I set up my own judging class at the store and sometimes I just like to identify the cut without looking at the label.

4. Love organizational stuff. Buy it all the time. Mainly because I am REALLY unorganized but REALLY want to be organized. Can't seem to make it happen - even with all the cool stuff!

5. I tell everyone I am allergic to sour cream and mushrooms. I am not, I just REALLY don't like it and it seems like that is the only way that people won't make you try something with either item in it. I know that is really a lie not a quirk but now you know so it will just be a quirk!

Now I get to tag someone....I choose...Kristen B.

Souptacular Crockpotalooza

Boo Mama is hosting a Souptacular/Crockpotalooza over on her blog today. I love her recipes. The Best Ever Pasta salad is oh so fabulous!

Anyway, love the fall for lots of reasons. Mainly because I start making soups and stews and such. I don't use my crockpot - not sure why - everyone raves about how much easier it makes things. So I am copying down recipes and am going to give it a shot. I have a great crockpot but I think I have only used it to make rotel dip!

Ok...On of my favorite cooks is Rachel Ray - I am always running out of time so her meals work great for me. This chicken soup is WOW!

Chili Chicken & Vegetable Soup

2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 baking potato, peeled and chopped
One 32-ounce container (4 cups) chicken broth
One 16-ounce bag frozen corn kernels
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken meat (from 1/2 rotisserie chicken)
One 10-ounce bag frozen green beans
Sour cream, for serving

1. In a large saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the onion, season with salt and pepper and cook, stirring, until tender, about 5 minutes. Stir in the chili powder and cook for 2 minutes. Add the potato and chicken broth and bring to a boil; lower the heat and simmer until the potato is tender, about 10 minutes.

2. Stir in the corn, chicken and green beans and cook until heated through. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with the sour cream.

Carving Pumpkins

JAMES' --------------- JORJA'S

We have not carved pumpkins with the kids before this year. Kinda makes you feel sorry for all the work your parents went through back in the day when we were begging to help carve pumpkins!

Well we were determined to make it a family event - originally it was going to be a girls pumpkin and a boys pumpkin but it ended up that James wanted mommy's help and Jorja always wants Daddy's help!!

No one got cut and the pumpkins are not too bad.

Most important - we had some GREAT family time. We are so thankful for days like yesterday. We don't get them often but the memories will do us good until we have another special family day!

Fall is here!!! I have always thought that spring was my favorite time of the year but I am beginning to change my mind! It is so refreshing to walk outside the house and feel the cool breeze.

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to go to our favorite pumpkin patch, Love Creek Orchards, and this year we invited friends to join us for fun fall day to go and enjoy. We built scarecrows, painted pumpkins, went on a tour of the orchards and had the best apple pie.

What a great way to start the fall season!

Gather my friends and pray for each other

We are priviledged to have the opportunity to pray for our friends and family. I ask that you also will pray for them. Pray for peace, trust in God, faith in God's plan, safety and whatever else God lays on your heart.

Special Prayer Requests....

The Woerner's - Brian lost is Job...You can read Tamara's blog for the story and specific prayer requests. God brought them into our life at a special time. We had just James - did not have a lot of friends at church - Brian, Tim and John did some bible studies together and became prayer partners. Tamara and I are sisters - not by blood but by our relationship with an AWESOME Father! He blessed me with her sweet spirit and has taught me SO much about being a Godly Women - she is a great example! We love them and know that God has an opportunity for them just around the corner and we pray for their ears, eyes and hearts to be open to hear His plan.

The Neblett's - they live in Galveston - Tiki Island to be exact. As of today we don't really know much except that Ike when right through their area. We pray that they will be able to get safely back into the area to access the situation. We pray that they will seek God through the sadness, frustration and waiting that is ahead of them to recover from this storm. We especially pray for Caroline their 5 year old daughter - that she will understand that what is important is that Amy, Hunter and Caroline are safe and together and God will provide what they need.

The Light's - Mark, Jessica, Bryson, Olivia and Baby Light (on the way) - we pray for continued health for Jessica. She has recently had surgery to have a reversal of the tube tying surgery (obviously I have no medical knowledge) and is now 9 weeks pregnant. Mom and baby are safe and growing although each day is a new day and they need many prayers to get her through the high risk portion of this pregnancy. We are super excited that our family is growing and can't wait for the arrival of a new cousin.

There are many more prayer requests out there - these are just high on my list today - I ask that you join me in praying for them.

Remember - he really has the WHOLE WORLD in HIS hands. Through Him all things are possible!

Girls Weekend in California

It will take me a few days to tell you about my trip to California. My mom took me on a fabulous trip. We met up with my sister (who was in CA working that week) and my Aunt Claudia who joined us from Dallas. Our first day was spent touring Carmel and Monterey. WOW - the beach at Carmel is amazing. The waves are so big and the sound of the waves - well I can still hear that roar. I was in awe of another one of God's awesome creations.

We shopped downtown in Carmel - beautiful art galleries, unique shops, great bakery and coffee shop!! And everyone had their dog - it was so funny to see dog bowls and doggie treats on the sidewalk in front of the shops.

We visited Clint Eastwood's Mission Ranch - and actually saw him! My mom and aunt said he probably thought I was a snob because I was busy taking pictures of all the beautiful flowers and he was walking right past me. We (Claudia) got a picture of him - it was pretty cool.

Then we drove down the coast to Monterey - the beautiful farms along the way. Wonderful crops of lettuce, artichokes, strawberries, and lots of things I could not identify from the road.

We stayed that night in Gilroy - the Garlic Capital of the World - what an interesting smell! More about the trip tomorrow...

"Mom - I am 5 today"

That was what he said first thing this morning walking out of his room.
It is true - our big guy turned 5 today! James Thomas Wilsey - the big 5. I can't believe it - seems like we just brought him home from the hospital. Well it was a fun day - he got to go to preschool. Then stop at sonic for a drink on the way home. Soccer practice - where he had a few visitors - Grandma, MawMaw, Aunt Steph, Zach and Macy showed up to see the little guy in action. Then it was home for our birthday supper. James chose the menu - Chicken Alfredo (suprised me since he has only had it one time). Then it was present time - the favorite time for a 5 year old on his birthday (ok - for anyone on their birthday). Then it was cake and ice cream time - which all seemed to enjoy since the room got quiet for the first time during the evening.

What did James get for the big event - Wal-E transformer, and Eve robot from Grandma, Fireman suit from Ms Dixie, Corvette Car from Ms Frances, Wal-E book and Coloring Set from Aunt Steph, Zach and Macy, Wal-E blanket and sheets from MawMaw. Telescope, Star Books, and Binoculars from Mom, Dad and Jorja. He was so excited about all his gifts.

Here are a few pictures of the great day. Of course the birthday celebration can't end there. James is having his friends over for a movie under the stars party on Friday night - we will be watching Robots...James can hardly wait!

Play Ball

In James' words - today is my first day of school AND my first day of soccer -it's going to be a BIG day for me.

It was a big day.

James had so much fun and is looking forward to Thursday nights practice. Coach Lynn has great patience. The kids are ready to play ball. Their games are on Saturday mornings. The team name is the Rebels.

Here are some pictures of our favorite soccer player!

Back to School (Preschool anyway)

Well today was the big day. Back to preschool we go. James was so excited that he woke up at 6:20 wanting to know if it was time to go. Jorja on the other hand slept in - she is normally up early with Dad but not today - she needed some extra zzz's to have a full, fun day with Ms Vikki.

And me- oh yes I am glad they are back at school - time for me to get ready for my big trip. My mom, aunt and sister are going to California (Gilroy, Carmel, Monterrey, San Francisco, Nappa Valley). Be back next week with LOTS of pictures from what my mom refers to as "God's Country".

There is something encouraging about a good schedule!

Don't get the wrong idea, I am not a organized type A person (sometimes I would like to be but it's just not going to happen) but I do find some encouragement in a schedule. What is this all about??? Well today the kids in SA go back to school. My little guys are not in big school yet but their preschool works on the big school schedule, so that means tomorrow is our first day back to school!!!! YIPEE!

I can resume my regular schedule - the summer is not that bad because I have Grandma to help me out with the kids but I really like our regular schedule. I get up with my hubby in the morning and do a few chores, eat breakfast do a little work (make my work to do list), get him off to work, do my quiet time, get the kiddos up and off to school, come back home and work, pick them up, let them have some down time (pray for that to turn into a nap) while I work, get dinner ready and have everything as close to normal when dad gets home. Some days don't come out like that but overall that is what happens. I can't wait for regular to return!

Why??? So many reasons why. In the summer I drag about to get up usually when hubby is walking out the door. Within minutes the kids are up and asking to go to Grandma's if they don't leave with him because they got up early. And I have lots of quiet time but not the kind that I need, I have missed joining Him for our morning chat. Boy do I look forward to tomorrow!

So hopefully you are ready for the craziness and calmness of Back to School. I sure am!

I don't think that I have blogged about my incredibly creative mom. I so wish I had her talent. Simple amazing to be able to take a bucket full of flowers and make then into something that I would want to look at for hours. I like flowers all by themselves but it is like magic when she gets her hands on them - they look totally different. These are some pictures from a wedding that she did a little over a month ago. She has been out of the business for a while trying to take care of her health. Since my Dad passed away she has some time on her hands and to her this is fun (I have helped her before - doing the technical not creative things and let me tell you coordinating weddings and arranging flowers is REALLY hard work). So hopefully she will get to do a few more weddings this year - for fun and a little extra income never hurt anyone either! Enjoy the pictures of the beautiful arrangements. At our wedding she not only was the mother of the bride but the wedding coordinator and head florist, she was one busy lady but it was the most amazing day of our lives. I will post pictures of our special day soon (it was 6 years ago so it might take me a while to find those wonderful photos)!!

Another Great Weekend for the Wilsey Family

A day at the park is good for the soul! We had so much fun Saturday morning just playing with the kids at the Raymond Rinkus Park in Leon Valley. They have recently renovated the playground. John played at this park when he was a little boy and was glad to see that they kept a few of the old fun elements. James and Jorja had smiles that made lasting memories for Mom and Dad. This is a great way to start off any Saturday morning. It will be a new staple in our weekend activities!

The weekend was splendid - it ended with a wonderful church picnic, great food, great fellowship and AWESOME music. We are so blessed by the musically gifted people in the congregation of Parkhills Baptist Church. A few of those musically gifted people are very close to our family - the Woerner's - WOW can they sing!! And their lives are totally committed to our Lord. We love spending time with them and knowing that we have prayer partners that are always praying for our growth, committment and trust in Jesus.

Just another great weekend for this very simple family!

Spending the week with Mom at School

As i stated in my previous blog post. We lost my dad on May 10th and I was scheduled to start a 3 week seminar Tarleton. Waiting until the fall meant 5 weeks instead of 3 during my busiest work time of the year. My dad's funeral was scheduled for May 16th and he and my mom instisted that I finish up this semester before he passed away. So my husband did what he always does...drops everything and takes care of his wife's needs. He took a week off work to go with me to school, we packed up the kids and left on Sunday afternoon to spend the week in Stephenville - mom going to class and the kids and John hanging out in the big town!!! They got my apartment set up and spent lots of time at the park, on campus, and traveling around the beautiful countryside.

Here are some pictures of their adventures while I was in class - wishing to be with them!!

Home at Last

Well, its been a rough semester. Lots of traveling, lots of tears but at the end I am home at last! I traveled from San Antonio to Stephenville twice a week every week during the Spring semester. At the end of finals week my dad lost his fight with lung cancer, he has now gone to be with our Savior. We miss him deeply but we are comforted in the fact that we know he is waiting for us in heaven! I then had to complete a mini mester for school - 3 weeks away from my wonderful husband and cheerful children. But again, I am home at last. So hopefully I will get the opportunity to share our summer with you. Lots of things to do in San Antonio that we have never done - perhaps I will give you a glimpse at this wonderful city!

Who Are We?

We are the Wilsey's

We have deep love for our heavenly Father. We reside in San Antonio. We are a real American family living the American life that was made possible to us by a soverign Lord. John is an amazing man, loving husband and faithful father. Kirstin (that's me) has a deep desire to know God and live out His will for life He gaver her, is a dedicated wife and loving mother. James is our all american 4 year old boy - loves dirt, anything that moves in or on dirt, and has only one tone (loud but sincere). Jorja is the sparkle in her Daddy's eye almost 2 years old and loves frogs and rainbow bear and Nammie (the bear her MawMaw brought her back from the NAMM convention in 2008) and most of all being with her Bubba (James).

We have busy lives like most and hope to us this blog keep our families and friends informed about our happenings!