Stuck?! June 1st Sketch

So, I've made a commitment this month to complete one layout (or more) every day until June 24 (the day before we leave on a trip). I started of by entering a sketch challenge. This is only  my second time entering into a challenge like this...........they definitely motivate me to get a layout finished.

And here's the sketch

Week 30 Peanut Butter Blossoms

These are an oldy but a goody. Back during Christmas time we were able to find Hershey's Kisses! I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw them so I bought a few packs. Last night I had to make some cookies for a get together so I thought I'd make peanut butter blossoms. Of course there were some left over for the boys to enjoy at home.

I know you can find this recipe anywhere online but I found mine on Pinterest  of course!

End of May

The end of May is usually a busy time around here. This week the ministry here is hosting the annual preacher's conference where preachers and lay leaders from all over Russia and even neighboring countries come together for encouragement and teaching. This years main speaker is Rick Holland and he has also brought along two elders from the new church he has been pastoring in Kansas. Not only did he bring two elders but he also brought his wife and the wives of the elders! So, we had a special wives group today and also invited some of the local pastor's wives.

left to right: Debbie, Kim Holland, and Kathy

Kathy taught on the expectations of a pastor's 

wife. Debbie taught on servant leadership. Kim

taught on conflict and criticism in ministry. It 

was such an encouraging time!

Bi-Plane Craft

We've had some rain and cooler temps lately, I'm definitely not complaining. We've also had a guest stay with us which means that I've been extra busy which means the boys are bored! Since today it was wet outside I thought we'd have the boy's friends over for a little "play date". I found the idea for these bi-planes on the Family Fun site and thought it would be a fun and quick craft for the boys to do.

 These boys love to paint. Nathan got a bit

carried away.

The glue hasn't dried on these yet but they turned out pretty good.

Week 29 Peanut butter, chocolate chip, and pretzel squares!

This weeks Pinterest dessert was a big hit! We have a guest staying with us this week ........the pastor of one of our supporting churches and a good friend and he loved it. My husband loved it too!! Unfortunately both men are trying to watch their "waste lines" so I'm going to have the share the dessert with our next door neighbors.

The pin is over here ! 

Pirates and Thunderstorms

The boys have been saying some funny stuff lately! Some days Jon and I just stare at each other in either amazement or shock because of their funny antics and conversations. Other times we try our best to hide our laughter.

During school the other day Josiah said the following to me in a very non-chalant tone : "Mom, when I grow up I am going to be a pirate actor since I already speak pirate." I have no idea where he got that from. He was working on a Math worksheet and it truly came out of nowhere!!!

On another note, Monday night we had a very big thunderstorm. It was quite loud and the rain was coming down in sheets. Nathan got a bit scared and Jon tried to calm him down by pointing out that the thunderstorm is a display of God's power and that God was in total control of the storm. When we put Nathan to bed that night he called me into his room and asked: "Mom, what will God do to me if I don't like His power?"

Week 28 Strawberry Shortcake

So, the strawberries are slowly making their way to Samara............well at least they are getting more affordable. I remember a couple of months ago walking in the market and seeing huge strawberries at all the vendor stands............my mouth was literally watering but every time I checked the prices I knew I couldn't buy them. Paying over $10 for a small basket of strawberries was just ridiculous to me but yesterday 1 pound of strawberries were $3.50.......a bit of a splurge compared to how cheap they are in California but I couldn't stand it anymore!!!  I made strawberry shortcake from this pin on my "sweets" board on Pinterest.

I was a little nervous about making the shortcake but it turned out ok. Actually, I don't think I've ever
really liked shortcake.........it's so plain! The strawberries and the whipped cream really made up for the plainness and actually the shortcake tasted better today than yesterday.