Water for life

Every morning on my way to work I listen to KLOVE. 

Every morning.

I can't get the day off to a good start without it. 

It's my personal time with God.

This is when I do my "talks" with him.

Even though he does not verbally respond....I know he hears me.

Anyway, a few weeks ago the radio station was asking its listeners to donate water filters to families in Africa through a company called Compassion.

For $50 you can make sure that a family has clean drinking water for a year....a year!!!

This really struck a nerve in me.

I normally don't get involved with outside fundraisers other than my own church, but I felt like I had to help in some way.

What if it were me in that situation?? No clean water to drink?? No clean water for my family to drink??

Sometimes I complain so much about petty things. If I go too long without eating ( I am talking 2 or 3 hours tops), I consider myself STARVING!! 

Get a grip! These families go days without food or water!! Who am I to complain?? I have everything I need and more!!

So I felt like I should take what God has blessed me with to help someone else.

I will never know what family received the filter that I purchased...but I know this...

the name on the "from" section on the box was not The O'Neal's...

it was purchased in Jesus' name.

And that's all they need to know:)

If you are interested in donating, click on the link below.

You won't be sorry to did:)

http://water.compassion.com/?referer=121117

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink...Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. - Matthew 25:35, 40

Summer Yummer!

I have gone too long without posting one of these. 

As of now Cohen is in a picky eater phase....grrrr!

So, we try to feed him the good stuff but in the end we wind up giving him something that we know he will eat instead of forcing him.

 Oh well, what are ya gonna do???

He tried to eat the okra pictured in this post, but after a few bites it wound up on the floor!

Who says you can't let a 1 year old help you in the kitchen??

He did the shakin' to coat the okra.

Yes, the okra that he didn't eat.

Menu:

Grilled Chicken (I actually grilled it myself!)

Fresh butter beans

Fried Okra

I mean, what's not to love about this meal??

Amateur Photography

Now that we no longer have a session package with our photographer, I try to take as many pictures of Cutie as I can.

Let me say this though, I have never claimed nor will I ever claim to be a photographer of any sorts. 

I would not really even consider myself to be at the level of an "amateur".

 I do the best I can and with a moving target that opens and closes his eyes every nano second and that won't be still to save his life, it's a miracle that I can get one single shot in!

(I now have  a new found respect for photographers. Their patience astounds me! I barely have enough patience trying to get my own kid to cooperate, I can't imagine trying to get someone else's to do the same!)

But, part of being a momma is thinking that every picture is cute regardless of the bad angles and half shut eyes:)

So,  here are some of my pictures taken on the golf course the other day!

I really like this one...partially because this was the first time that the background faded and the camera focused just on the subject.

This was done with the big zoom lens.

On the move again

In mid stride

Feeling the grass

almost missed his face in this one

Love it!

Poor baby had the afternoon sun in his eyes. 

Note to self: wait until the sun is almost down to be sure that no one will be blinded during picture time:)

This may be my favorite!

Look at that BIG boy shadow behind him! Kinda gives me a glimpse into the future when this little fella is not so little anymore.....tear:(

I love chubbie toddler legs!

Yogurt body paint??

Trying to teach Cohen to use a spoon to feed himself is...well, you be the judge!

Truth be told, I handed him this bowl of yogurt to keep him occupied while I put away groceries. 

(ugh, big mistake!)

So there was no actual "teaching" going on here.

But, I am honest in saying that I am having a hard time just letting him do it himself due to the mess that immediately follows. 

I know he will get the hang of it soon.

In the meantime, we might just put his highchair outside for every meal and then do a good hose down afterwards.....just kidding:)

Summer Yummer... Pizza and Chicken Tacos!

Both of these recipes came from the Pioneer Woman's blog.

Never visited her blog?

You should!

I got hooked to it when I was expecting Cohen and began reading her personal blog called "From High Heels to Tractor Wheels." (You will get hooked, and possibly for a split second wish that your husband was a cowboy too!)

She has so many other interesting hobbies that she has on her blog. But Pioneer Woman Cooks is my ultimate favorite!

I love how to she posts pictures of every single step in the cooking process of each recipe. Definitely comes in handy when you are following a new recipe and your are not sure if it is "supposed" to look like that!!

Anyway, here are two recipes that I used of hers this week, both of which turned out really good!!

Pizza done two ways....one half done with mozzelralla and parm cheese and the other half roasted eggplant and tomatoes!!! Sooo good!

You could pretty much use any combination of veggies on this pizza!

Chicken Tacos! 

These were GREAT! 

Yumm Yumm! 

Notice the bite mark in my taco....I couldn't wait to bite into it!

Both of these were great recipes and for the most part, pretty healthy!

Can't beat a blow up pool!!

We love our little "redneck" blow up pool! Not exactly high class but it serves its purpose and Cohen has a blast in it! Definitely good for when you don't feel like dragging all your stuff to the "big" pool. 

This evening we were finally blessed with some sunshine so we took full advantage!

His new swim trunks may be a tad big;)

Look at our little pot belly baby!

Now that's how ya do it!

We just eat him up!!!

Oh and he now does the sweetest thing....he gives lots of sweet sugars!!! And goodness gracious it is just precious!!

These are just some more pics on my camera.

When was the last time you all had a cream soda??? I usually have one every few years...but for the life of me I can't figure out why I don't treat myself to these more often than that!!

Handsome!

I got Cohen these little magnet animals from Old Time Commissary the other day and he loves to play with them. He walks up to the fridge and points to the ones he wants and tries to make the sounds that go with them!

He calls the bird "beeee"!

Hmmm who is this little furry friend just waiting for them to hit the floor?? We have already had to dispose of the pig, rooster, and horse!! What are we gonna do with OSCAR!!!

Cohen now has a new friend that he carries around with him everywhere...

Summer Yummer Surf and Turf!

I have to brag on Tyler in this post. He googled a recipe for baked russet potatoes and cooked them himself....They were WONDERFUL!!!

Roasted potatoes with Olive oil, tiny bit of ranch dressing, rosemary, thyme, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes.

We will be making these a staple in our house!

We went shopping in Fresh Market yesterday and bought some crab stuffed steaks and coconut shrimp. Our supper for tonight including the taters' cost us around $12!!! Can't beat that!

The steak looks huge because it is stuffed and wrapped in bacon! Yummy!