Pure JOY

The laundry is done!
Now I must put it away...
(At which time the basket will be full again - Ahhh! The joys of a family of 5!)

L: Lake Tiak-O'khata

I am thankful for having a short visit to such a great place to retreat - Lake Tiak-O'khata.

The former State Director for BSU (now retired) and his wife own a cabin at this jewel of a place. They have made it known that we are welcome to use it any time.


Once I realized that Wes (it was already on the calendar for Ann Elise) would also be out of school all week, I mentioned to Kris that it might be a fun get away. We contacted our friends and got the time arranged!

We had so much fun being away - no laundry, not many toys to pick up - just pure nature and home grown goodness!

We spent time walking the nature trail,


collecting items for and making a nature collage,


popping popcorn and watching a movie,
eating s'mores,
feeding the ducks, attempting to fish,


playing frisbee,
riding bikes,
and relaxing on the screened porch while taking in the gorgeous view of the Lake.

U: United States

I am thankful to have been born and raised in the USA. I am thankful that we are free to choose where we live, where we work, whom we marry, how many children we have, where we worship, Who we worship, and the list goes on! I would love to visit all 50 states one day and see them in all their beauty - beaches, mountains, desserts, canyons, wildlife, cultures. And, I am very thankful for the men and women (and their families) who serve our country day in and day out, making sure I have these privileges.

F: Fire Pit

With the kids out of school all week, I am looking for things to spice things up around here. I want to make sure all of our down time does not turn into just that...down! I am trying to make sure we plug some different activities into our routine to keep them interested. Last night we kicked off the holidays by borrowing our good friend, Lloyd's, fire pit. It was just a tad chilly and the fire was a great addition! We roasted hot dogs and marshmallows (for s'mores), had some great conversation and family time, and even sang a chorus or two of Pass It On! We can't wait to do this again! Anyone up for joining us?

Kris and Ann Elise

Kris and Wes

Lloyd, Bankston Hays, and Ann Elise

K: Kris

Kris is the best husband and father! I appreciate that he gets up early in the morning to get in his quiet time with the Lord (before the littles awake), that he helps get the children dressed and fed in the mornings, and that he takes (and picks up) Wes to school most days of the week.

I am thankful that Kris has a great job which provides for us, that is flexible in it's hours so he can attend his children's programs, that puts him in a position to minister to college students every day and encourage them to love the Lord with all their heart, and that offers him the opportunity to travel and share the Gospel with those who have never heard the sweet name of our Savior.

I am blessed that Kris lives his life with integrity and is honorable, that he takes the time with his children to love on them and play with them and teach them what is right, that he helps keep our house in order (taking out the trash, unloading the dishwasher, cleaning the toilets, bathing the kiddos, etc.), and that he comes home every night with a smile, ready to tackle the five dubs.

I love you, Kris!

N: Netflix and Newspaper

Netflix is new to us (as in since August). We joined up after seeing how much fun we had watching past episodes of The Office together after the children would go to bed. We thought it was an avenue that we could afford that would provide us an opportunity to request, watch, and return movies without the hassle. We were right! It is so easy to make a list of the movies you want to see and let Netflix mail them to you! No late fees, keep them as long as you like, no postage needed, AND they automatically send you the next movie on your list within a day or two! (I must admit that we have not utilized this service as often as I would like...by the time the day wraps up we are tired! But, I do look forward to getting back to it when time allows.)

We have a weekend and holiday subscription to our local newspaper. I really enjoy reading the paper while drinking a cup of coffee. But with our schedule during the week, papers just pile up and never get read. The weekend and holiday subscription is perfect for us. I can usually find the time to read it during the weekend, I enjoy getting caught up on the week's news, and I love the coupons. Works for me!

A: Appetizers

I love appetizers - most of the time I enjoy them as much, if not more, than the meal! I enjoy having a little something to munch on as I get acquainted with people, as I read a menu, and as I visit with those I love. Appetizers can be sweet, salty, crunchy, or smooth - as long as they are yummy!

In honor of the "A" in Thankful I am posting two of my quick-fix, all-time favorites. I hope you can squeeze them into your holiday plans...they will not disappoint!

Something sweet and crunchy...

Toffee Apple Dip
8 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
3/4 cup Brown Sugar
1/2 cup Powdered Sugar
8 oz bag Toffee Chips
8-10 Apples

Blend first four ingredients. Stir in Toffee Chips. Slice apples (soak apples in pineapple juice if not ready to serve or to preserve).
*May be served cold or room temperature.
**Store in airtight container up to five days.

Something salty and smooth...

Baked Pimento Cheese (Southern Living Magazine, December 2004)
1 1/2 cups Mayonnaise
1 jar (4 oz) Diced Pimentos
1 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
1 tsp Onion (finely grated)
1/4 tsp Red Pepper
8 oz Extra-sharp Cheddar Cheese (grated)
8 oz Sharp Cheddar Cheese (grated)

Stir together first five ingredients in a large bowl. Add cheeses. Spoon mixture into casserole dish and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until dip is golden and bubbly. Serve with your choice of crackers (I have used Ritz, Club crackers, and Wheat Thins).

H: home

It has been said, "home is where your heart is". I fully agree with this quote. As long as I am surrounded by those I love, I am home. But, over the years "home" has resided in different places: the home I grew up in, my college dorm, my college apartments, our first house, my mom's new house, and now HOME.

I love our home. With the help of family, the knowledge of my father-in-law, and many sacrificed hours of hard work, we built our first owned home. I am thankful to have had the opportunity to build our home almost seven years ago. We planned and built our home before we had children, before I started staying home, before we "knew" what our life was going to look like. We planned to build a home close to family, a home that could entertain students, a home that could raise a family, and a home in which we could settle. I am proud to say, our home is just that. And we have settled. I love that our home sits on a hill looking into trees. I love that our home is warm in the winter and cool in the summer. I love that our home has baked and cooked some delicious meals and that it has burned its own share. I love that our home has healed scrapes and bruises. I love that our home welcomes our tired feet. I love that our home hears the laughter of small children and the cries of babies. I love that our home wraps comfort around us. I love that our home has welcomed grandparents, newborns, aunts, uncles, and cousins. I love that our home has been visited by missionaries that spread God's love. I love that our home has endured tears of sorrow and tears of joy. I love that our home is our place. Our family. Our heart.

Am I slipping?

OK, so it has been nearly a week since I posted. I realize this time of year picks up the pace in most households, and most to-do-lists never end. I have had posting on the back of my mind for several days now. Part of me couldn't decide something to write about and part of me could not set aside the time to just sit down and do it. Anybody with me here?

I have finally decided to take the next week and focus on things for which I am thankful (as I should this season). I plan to follow the acronym "THANKFUL". So, check back each day and keep me accountable!


T: time
Time with Kris to talk about our day, watch a movie together, enjoy each other's company
Time with Wes as he learns to read, putting together Legos, swinging in the hammock
Time with Ann Elise putting together puzzles, playing dress-up, to read Thanksgiving books
Time with Bankston Hays learning to walk, watching him stack cups, to rock him
Time to exercise, scrapbook, read a good Christian fiction novel - these are wishes :)

If you haven't met, let me introduce you...

to Etsy!

We met about a year ago through a mutual friend's blog. I had never met Etsy, nor heard of her. And, WOW! I could not believe what she had to offer! She is full of incredible handmade goods to decorate your home, clothe yourself, give to people, etc. The ways you can use her are endless! She has just about anything you are looking for...or just spend a little time browsing to inspire yourself for creative projects. I wanted to introduce you to a few of my favorite finds over the last year. Maybe it will inspire you or give you a few ideas as you do your Christmas shopping this year!

These cool clocks, made from plates, can be found at Bode 22.

These great looking tassels are handmade by the Nesting Place.

I love this outfit by BowBellaBoutique

and this t-shirt by Nissalissa!

And, who could resist an ornament by gorgeousredhead that is a replica of their wedding cake?!?!

**all photos were copied from the shop owner's Etsy shop**

What a weekend!

Over the weekend, our family got together to celebrate Bankston Hays' birthday. I found some precious invitations on clearance a few months ago - an alligator with a little turtle on his back wearing a birthday hat and let that dictate the theme of our party. We had a great time together and hated to see the day come to a close. But, the partying did not stop then! On Monday we had a mini party at his Mommy and Me class. I took a cupcake for him to blow out a candle and made these adorable cookies for his classmates (with the instructions from and help of my super sister!). I wanted y'all to see how cute they turned out!


My sister is very talented when it comes to cake and cookie decorating...after all, she had a fabulous teacher (her mother-in-law owns a cake shop in our home town)! She brought all the supplies with her and we got to work Sunday afternoon. It was pretty time consuming, but well worth the result!

Happy 1st Birthday, Bankston Hays!

Today, our baby boy turns 1! We are so very thankful to be blessed with his life. He constantly keeps us on our toes (pulling out tupperware and pot lids, climbing the stairs, and opening cabinets countless times a day), reminds us how fast life goes by (realizing how much he has learned in the last year), and allows us to love deeper than we ever dreamed (his sweet, sweet sounds, his deep breaths late at night, his contagious giggles, and generous smile). We could not be more honored to be the parents of Bankston Hays! Hope you enjoy this slide show of a few pictures from this first year.

Height: 31 1/4 inches
Weight: 28 pounds
Favorite Toys: Tennis Ball, Activity Table, anything to pound or drum, Cars, books
Favorite Food: All table foods!

Cheesy Rotel Chicken Soup

A few years ago, a friend of mine hosted Bunko at her house and served this yummy soup. She had her house all decorated and festive for Fall - serving this soup in hollowed out mini pumpkins! It was precious. But the taste was even more impressionable! After mentioning the soup in my "TWO fun things today" post, I thought I would share the recipe with y'all!

Cheesy Rotel Chicken Soup

1 stick margarine
1 onion, chopped
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 can chicken broth
1 lb. Velveeta cheese
2 cans white shoepeg corn
1 can Rotel
1 rotisserie chicken, deboned
desirable amount milk, heavy cream, or half & half

Saute' onion in butter until tender. Add Velveeta cheese and let melt. Pour entire cans of all other ingredients into a crock pot. Add cheese and onion mixture. Chop/shred chicken into bite size pieces. Add chicken to crock pot. Cook on high approximately one hour. Then add milk/heavy cream/half & half to increase volume until desired amount obtained (I usually use 2 cups of milk). Continue to cook in crock pot until soup is warm or until ready to serve. Freeezes well!

If you try it, let me know what you think!

PS - this recipe holds a special place in my heart as it was what I was preparing when I went into labor with Ann Elise...I was chopping chicken at 6:30 pm when I first stopped to start timing my contractions..made it to the hospital ER at 7:50 pm, was complete, and she was here (without drugs) by 8:10 pm. OH YES! It holds a special place in my heart :)

I ordered it!

About this time last year, I started reading the post of a fellow blogger, Embracing My Cup. I am pretty sure I found her through another blogger, In the Midst of It. Anyway, she constantly inspires me through her love for her children, her dedication to the Lord and raising men of the same, and her big heart. Recently she posted about the book, The Pumpkin Patch Parable, that she reads to her children every year around this time. They read it as they carve their pumpkin. I encourage you to read her post dated November 1, 2008, as it will give you more insight into what a wonderful idea it is! All that to say, I can't wait to receive mine! Even though it will be put away until next year's use...it will be long awaited when we carve ol' Jack!

The debate was decided...

and the Justice League won!

Many of you know that deciding on this year's costumes was a little bit of a feat at The Five Dubs hosuehold. For you see, I was determined for our three children to "match" in their costume selections. A few of my faves were The Three Little Pigs, characters from The Wizard of Oz, characters from Star Wars, etc. You get the picture. Well, with every idea one of our children had a problem (of the two that can voice their opinions). After much persuasion, searching, and encouragement the Justice League came to our rescue! And, I must say, I was quite happy with the result!



The kids trick-or-treating Memaw (Kris' grandmother)

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!