On a cold day like today who does not want yummy hot chocolate.
hot cocoa 4 cups dry powdered milk (wow this stuff is more expensive than I realized) 2 cups sugar 3/4 cup hershey cocoa pinch of salt put all ingredients in blender (food processor for me) to make it more of a powder. To drink: add 1/3c cocoa "MIX" to 1 cup water WOW it is so good I make up a double batch and keep in the cabinet ready for when we need it. Or at least I try to. This morning when we woke up to freezing weather and snow guess who did not have hot chocolate made. Luckily I had everything I needed and could make it. I think we may try to make snow cream later. I tried to put this silly dog out this morning to go potty and he wanted nothing to do with it. But as soon as the kids went out he would not leave them. I made him come in because he was shivering but as soon as I took the leash off he ran back out. Silly dog, at least he protects my babies
So today is Christmas, what does that mean to you? Presents and family and maybe a moment to remember why we have it. Today I hope you take a moment to think through how Jesus was sent for us. How he was born for the purpose of dying on a cross for our sins. I encourage you to listen to the words of the songs, not just the songs. I know sometimes I get so wrapped up in the singing that I forget to think about what I am singing about.
Isaiah 9:2-7 2 The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. 3 You have enlarged the nation and increased their joy; they rejoice before you as people rejoice at the harvest, as warriors rejoice when dividing the plunder. 4 For as in the day of Midian’s defeat, you have shattered the yoke that burdens them, the bar across their shoulders, the rod of their oppressor. 5 Every warrior’s boot used in battle and every garment rolled in blood will be destined for burning, will be fuel for the fire. 6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the LORD Almighty will accomplish this.
Luke 1:26-38 26 In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, 27 to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28 The angel went to her and said, “Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you.” 29 Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. 30 But the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary; you have found favor with God. 31 You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his kingdom will never end.” 34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” 35 The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called[a] the Son of God. 36 Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month. 37 For no word from God will ever fail.” 38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May your word to me be fulfilled.” Then the angel left her.
Luke 2:1-6 1And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. 2(And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) 3And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city. 4And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) 5To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child. 6And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
Luke 2:8-14 8And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. 12And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
Luke 2:15-18 15And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. 16And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger. 17And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. 18And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.
I am always thankful. Tonight I am thankful for a program called Hero's for Home sponsored by Sears. I love how they help military at Christmas time. Please take a moment to check it out and leave a word of encouragement on the site. I can tell you that if you donate to them or just leave a message for a soldier it will make your days and there's.
I know these pictures are not great but they make me want to cry. Do you see the man in gray standing in front of my her. That man is my baby boy who is now taller than his daddy. It breaks my heart that my 14 year old (just turned 14) is taller than his daddy and once was small like his baby sister who is standing next to her daddy.
OPSEC- Just a reminder that anytime I speak of my hero I am changing the time and date of the events. If I say he is flying right now it was probably a week ago. I will never give out exact times and dates. Please understand this is for his safety and his units safety and not to mislead my readers. Please help me follow OPSEC by not asking for exact dates or information.
Petrie Soaps and Stuff
All of our soaps are made using milk from our beautiful goats and are made by my husband and I.
Let's Be Social
Grab One
My Hero
Rob and I have been married 15 years. He is my hero. Rob is a Warrant Officer in the army. I so look up to this man. He is brilliant. I could not ask for a better husband or father. He is the spiritual leader of our family. I am so blessed to have this man in my life and thank God for him daily.
Michael
Michael is almost 20 years old. No longer my little boy who needs mom to make his PB&J. He is currently a student at Pensacola Bible College studying to be a Evangelist. He still enjoys video games and hanging out with friends.
Faith
Faith is my beautiful 16 year old. She teaches me daily how to love myself and others. She loves to help with the little kids She loves to sing and dance and would not be caught in public without make up and jewelry. Faith is Faith, she does not try to impress anyone
Hope
Hope is my fiesty 14 year old. Hope loves anything that has to do with animals. She is happiest when she is outside with the goats and chickens. She loves to help in the church nursery. She is as tall as her momma and still growing.
Grace
Grace is 11 years old and is my special blessing. Grace was born at 2.12 pounds and was in a hurry to get here. She has been non stop since then. She loves being the baby and makes sure everyone knows it
Jason
Jason is 8 . His favorite things to do are to help me clean up and to eat. If you ask him what he wants to do he says I want to go grocery shopping.
James
James is and a joy to be around. He loves to snuggle and be told that he is doing something right.
Jacob
My precious newest blessing. Born September.
A.C.U.
A C U is the newest addition to our family. She was a stray and found her way (through a friend) to our home. She is so adorable and the kids were instantly in love with her
Chickens
When we bought our farm house (okay farm is not really true) we decided we would get chickens. My amazing hero agreed to 10 and some how we ended up with 21. I have been told that is called chicken math.
Goats
I have to be honest, I love my goats. If it was up to me I would have them walking around the house. We have two for milking and one for meat. Next year we should have three for milking. Although the thought of my baby girl getting pregnant is hard for me.