You can still go...

Hey girls just wanted to put it out there that we still have room for two more on the trip to Dallas next weekend. If you want to come with us let me know. The cost of the rooms are about $50 and then gas for about $20. The rest of what you spend is up to you. We are leaving at noon on Friday and will be back mid-afternoon on Sunday. Don't miss out.

"Stuff Exchange"

Hey everyone!

Brooke wanted me to pass along some info about the "Stuff Exchange" that Michelle forgot to mention yesterday. For those who weren't there, next Wed. bring any of your stuff (toys, household items, Christmas decor, etc.) that you don't want anymore, and we're piling it on tables for everyone to sort through after Bible study. Take home whatever and however much you would like! The part that was left out - YOU DON'T HAVE TO TAKE YOUR OWN STUFF BACK HOME!!! :) Michelle is going to donate the leftover items to Easter Seals for a Christmas store they set up for their teachers to shop in for $0.25 a piece!!!

So, go through your things and bring what you would like, and know that the leftover will go for a very worthy cause.

Thanks!
Amy B

Prayer Request

I just wanted to let everyone know that Stacey Stephens is going in tomorrow morning to have her baby. I will not be at MUGG tomorrow, so will you guys be sure and say a prayer for her and the baby. She had a pretty tough time with Kenzie. I just want it to be better for her this time around! Thanks so much!

Kerri Crocker

If you were in MUGG last year you may remember Kerri Crocker that came and sang to us and told her story. She is the sister of Sandy Ward. (Sandi teaches the four year old class on Sunday Mornings). I thought at that time that Kerri was super talented, and if the right people ever heard her she would make it mainstream. Well... yesterday on the way to Church I heard her song "I want to live" on B98.5's Sunday Cafe show with Jeff Matthews. I wasn't paying attention at first and just thought that I had her CD in , but then realized that it was the radio. How exciting!

Hey Girls!
Just thought I would give you a recipe that I love to make during the Holidays!
I call it Frozen Fruit Salad. You can make it low sugar, too!!

8oz. Pkg. of cream cheese Or 8 oz. pkg. of Neufchatel cheese (1/3 less fat)
1 lg. cool whip Or Lite cool whip
Large pkg. frozen strawberries (sm. pkg. strawberries & sm. pkg. raspberries or any fruit you like)
1 can crushed pineapple (drained)
4-5 bananas (mashed)
1 cup sugar Or 1 cup Splenda
Mix cream cheese at room temp. and cool whip-- Add fruit and sugar.
Freeze!
Thaw at least one hour before serving.

I sometimes put it in a cupcake pan but if time is an issue just put it in a 9X13 dish.
Hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Join Us for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk

Please Join Hannah for the Jingle Bell 5k Run/Walk
To Benefit the Arthritis Foundation
on
Saturday, December 1, 2007
at
11:00 a.m.
at the River Market Area

Someone asked me to post this on this blog. For any who do not know, my daughter, Hannah, was diagnosed early this year with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). The Arkansas Arthritis Foundation has a Jingle Bell 5k Run/Walk every year to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation. We have formed a team and are trying to help the Arthritis Foundation raise money. Here are some other details of the race:

The festivities actually begin at 9 a.m. with registration, fruit, orange juice, and coffee. You can also get your (or your kiddos) picture made with Santa. There is also a costume contest if you want to dress up with a Christmas theme. After the race, pizza, chips and salsa, and soft drinks will be served.

The cost to join our team (Little Hannah Who and the Grinch) is $20 which will get you some jingle bells for your shoes, a T-shirt, and a goody bag. You can also make a donation to the Arthritis Foundation if you so chose. The deadline to sign up online is Monday, November 26th.

To join our team go to http://LittlerockJBR07.kintera.org/littlehannahwhoandthegrinch826

We are SO excited about this and greatly appreciate any support you can give!

God Bless!

Jamie Keim

A good reminder

Something Denise said in the last Motherwise video has stuck with me. It went something like this...
Look around you...you'll be depressed
Look inside you...you'll be stressed
Look above you...you'll be at rest!!!

I LOVE that!! So true.

What are you Thankful for?

In a world where we have been so greatly blessed, it is sometimes hard to remember to be thankful. It is the time of year when our country will normally stop to take stock of what we have to be thankful for in our lives. But, I want to take a different approach this year. I want to not just be thankful for the good things, but those things in our lives that might at first glance make us feel like we are in Holland. (Thank you Michelle McClanahan for such a wonderful analogy!) I am going to list my things, and if you feel up to it you can give us yours too. So here goes.

Easy things to be thankful for...
Tim - You can't imagine how easy it is to be married to this guy!
Claire and Brock - They make being a mom the best thing ever! Hectic but wonderful!
My Family - It has been amazing being raised by such wonderful people. Randy and Sheila have always given me the joy of knowing that I am a part of something special. Ben, Vanesa, and all of the nieces and nephews have only made our family more complete than we could ever be without them.
My Friends- Never has there been a more special group of people that I call my friends. You guys all bring such unique things into my life, and I am more grateful for all of you than you could ever know.
PV - Do you ever go somewhere out of town and think "HOW do people spiritually survive here?" How awesome is it that we have our church? We are spoiled and God just keeps blessing us more every week!

Things that might look like Holland:
Claire's Developmental Delays - God works in mysterious ways! It is always amazing to me how God has taken something that has been so heartbreaking, difficult and at times maddening only to make it into something beautiful. To look back over these past few years and seeing the ways that God has revealed himself in our family is so fascinating. He has led us to places that I never would have chosen to go, but am daily amazed at his goodness. He has given me a ministry that a few years ago I would have never seen myself in. In his miraculous ability, he has even made me into a softer, more compassionate person along the way. Praise be to God for his wisdom!

Hard Time in the Construction Industry - Most of you know that Tim works for my Dad in his construction company. For the past few years, our business has not been what it once was, to say the least. Through this God has shown us repeatedly that he is in control, and will always grant us our "daily bread". He has also taught me to be content with "daily bread", and to always rely on him.

Health Issues - This year has not been the worst with my health that I have had to say the least, but it also has not been my best. It has made me aware of how blessed we are to have such amazing medical care in this country. It has also made me be so thankful for the times when I do feel good and prayerful for those who don't.

Okay, so this blog is getting lengthy so I will stop. Have a great Thanksgiving week. Be aware of all things in your lives, even the glimpses of Holland, and be thankful.

Love Ya Muggers!
Jill

For Your Information...

I am putting a link on the left to link to Sydney Pilgreen's caring bridge website. Tina regularly makes updates on Sydney's health, and we could know exactly what we need to be praying for.

Cortney

Make sure you clarify!

Sometimes kids learn things at school that you don't realize they are learning. For instance, how to use 911. Then for instance they decide that they need "help" and call 911 because they are hungry and Mom is still asleep. Should this happen at your house don't worry because they will call you back and make sure that you know that the call has been placed to make sure that all is well. I have the whole story on my blog, but wanted to make sure that when you teach your kids about calling 911, don't tell them to call it when they need "help". Oh my life!

Jill

How to be able to write on this blog

Hey girls we want everyone to be able to write on the blog. In order for me to send you the link I need your email address. You can send me an email at ballardjill@sbcglobal.net and that will get us started. I am looking forward to this getting going.

Dallas Trip Is Coming!

Okay girls we want everyone to join us! A group of 6 of us went last year and had a blast! We would love to have more come with us this year. We will leave about 12:30 on Friday December 7, and come home on Sunday afternoon. We spend most of the day Saturday at Grapevine Mills Shopping Center doing our Christmas Shopping thing, but there is a movie theater there as well for those who may not want to spend the day shopping. We eat out and never even glance to see if they have Chicken nuggets on the children's menu. We eat dessert and don't feel guilty, and we laugh until we hurt. Basically, we have a grand ole time. It isn't a very expensive trip because we split the hotel rooms evenly and pitch in for gas, but other than that what you spend is up to you. Let me know if your in really soon because I need to solidify the reservations. Don't miss your chance on a good time! Also, if you know of someone that isn't a MUGGER invite them to come too, as long as they can have fun.

Jill

Welcome!

Hello to all of you who are going to be joining us on this blog! I hope that this blog will be filled with great information for all of us to share with each other. I am creating this blog so that everyone who joins in and reads it will be blessed in some way. If you have a great tidbit that God has revealed to you, share it here. If you have a funny story to share, share it here. If you have a special need or prayer request, share it here. House Cleaning tips, recipes, mothering advice, mothering questions, whatever it is, this is your forum and we are all in it together! So check it when you check your email because you never know what your going to find. Blessings to you all!

If you want to be a contributor email me and I will get you added on. We want everyone to be a part of this blog! (If anyone knows of a way to do this without people having to email me let me know!)

Love that MUGGIN!
Jill