March 1st

Oh my goodness, today is March 1st! That means in 22 days Leighton & Kaitlyn will be getting married!! It seemed like the time was crawwwwwling, and now it's flyyyyyyyyying. Before we know it, family will be arriving from out of state, hair appointments, last minute trip  will be made to get last minute things, decorating will be going on, rehearsal, and rehearsal dinner, and then..........."THE BIG DAY"!!

Hard to believe our second born will soon be flying the nest and starting her new life. Wasn't it just last week she was learning to crawl?? Time doesn't stand still, that's for sure.

Orange Walnut Sunrise Coffee Cake

This is the yummy coffee cake Kristina makes for us from time to time. It's sooooooo good!

 

Orange Walnut Sunrise Coffee Cake

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons butter, melted, plus more for pan
• 1 (16.3-ounce) can refrigerated biscuits (recommended: Pillsbury Grands Flaky Layers)
• 1/4 cup minced walnuts
• 1/3 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons orange zest

Glaze:

• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 2 tablespoons orange juice, or more as necessary

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Butter a 9-inch round cake pan. Separate the biscuit dough into 8 biscuits. Place 1 biscuit in the center of the pan. Cut the remaining biscuits in half, forming 14 half-circles. Arrange the pieces around the center biscuit with cut sides facing in the same direction. Brush melted butter over the tops of the biscuits.

In a small bowl, combine the walnuts, granulated sugar, and orange zest. Mix well and sprinkle over biscuits. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine confectioners' sugar, cream cheese, and orange juice. Blend until smooth adding more orange juice, if needed, to thin. Drizzle glaze over the warm coffee cake and serve.

Is it really their business?

I am amazed that some people feel the need to tell couples how many children they should have and when they should have them. Last time I looked, that was something personal between the couple and GOD. Our society does not look upon children like the blessings they are. If you have more than two, you're irresponsible. If you have 3 or more, "You need to get fixed"! It says all over in scripture that children are a blessing from the Lord. We are to be *fruitful & multiply*. We have three children here on this earth and 3 in heaven. I would have loved to have a large family, but this is what God has given us and I am thankful for each blessing. Putting your faith and trust in God with your fertility doesn't mean you'll have 20 children. It may mean you'll have 1, 2, 4, 6, or maybe none. It's not about the number, it's about TRUST! I have a friend, Bambi, who wrote a wonderful article on this very subject. Check it out. It's good! http://www.nurseryofthenation.com/2013/02/fear-of-rabbithood.html

Changes

I haven't written on this blog in almost 3 months! Life has changed so much in the last few months. Some good, some bad, but none of it a surprise to God.

Today is my *50th* birthday! I can't believe I am already that age. I still feel 18! Life goes flying by so fast whether we like it or not. Seems like only yesterday my girls were little, and now one is married with a 7 month old son. One is getting married in 33 days, and our *baby* is getting married in 75 days! Talk about changes!!

Time does not stand still and we can not live in the past. We must look forward to new beginnings and all the joy that it holds. I may have to remind myself of that a lot in the next several months.

I am thankful for God showing me that He has me right where he wants me. What I choose to do with that is up to me. May I bring honor to Him in all I say & do!

Thanksgiving 2012

This year more than ever, I feel such gratitude, thankfulness, and love. The Lord has blessed us so abundantly. We are so unworthy of His gifts, and yet He takes great joy in blessing His children. Here are some of the things I am thankful for this year.

* Salvation

* Good Health

* My loving, godly, husband

* Three beautiful, healthy daughters who love the Lord

* A wonderful son-in-law (and two future sons -in- law)

* Our beautiful, healthy grandson

* The sale of our home in Minnesota

* The provision of a new home in Nevada

* An amazing new job for Michael

* Our new family in Nevada

* A church who preaches the truth

* Our freedom

The list is endless, but those are just a few I am so very thankful for this year.

Nevada Bound

One week ago today, Michael and Wade flew back to Nevada from Minnesota. Leighton left the next day driving a 26 ft U-Haul truck pulling a 6x12 trailer behind it with almost all of our belongings. The girls and I stayed behind to finalize things here.

Michael went out before us to seek employment and find a rental home. In that weeks time, God provided him with a very good job and a new home for our family. He has answered all our prayers far beyond anything we could have hoped for. We stand in awe at His love and provision for our family. He asked us to step out in faith, we followed, and we were blessed. All praise and glory goes to God alone!! We are excited about the new adventure the Lord has us on.

Here is our new home :o)

Family Picture

Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the *WHOLE* family together for one picture. So, we did two seperate ones. I think they both turned out well. I love these sweet people so much and I am so blessed by God for each one of them!



Kristina, Denise, Kelli, Kaitlyn
Michael, Chet, & Quade

 

Leighton, Kaitlyn, Kristina, Wade
Denise, & Michael



Our precious grandson, Quade!

Kaitlyn turns *20*!!!

It's hard to believe that our sweet little girl is now *20*! Kaitlyn, you have brought so much joy into our lives. We are so thankful that the Lord chose to bless our family with YOU!

Grandma Becker and Uncle Mark made a trip up here from Iowa to spend it with you. I think your favorite part of your birthday was a surprise visit from Leighton & Wade. They flew in a midnight a couple of days before your birthday. We had so much fun bowling, going out to eat, having a photo shoot, and just spending time together.

This is the last birthday you will celebrate as a single woman. Your wedding is fast approaching in just 5 short months!

We love you Kaitlyn, and pray God's richest blessings upon your life!!

Leighton & Kaitlyn Photoshoot

Here are some beautiful pictures that Kristina took of Leighton & Kaitlyn. You can see the sweet love they have between them. It is so precious and we thank the Lord for bringing them together.

And a few fun ones thrown in :o)

Wade & Kristina Are ENGAGED!

Our family flew out to Nevada on September 6th. Wade asked Michael & I for our blessing to ask Kristina to marry him when we came out there. 

After lunch on September 7th, Wade, Kristina, Leighton, & Kaitlyn set out on their journey to Ragged Top Mountain. They took pictures along the way of each other and of the beautiful scenery. Once they were up on the mountain, Wade gave Leighton the *signal* for him and Kaitlyn to go off on their own for a bit. Wade and Kristina climbed to the top of the mountain and while Kristina was enjoying the scenery, Wade dropped to one knee and asked her to marry him. Her response was a quiet *YES* as she choked back tears. Wade placed the ring on her finger and they embraced. They prayed and gave God all the glory for bringing them together. 

Here are some of their beautiful engagement pictures...........

Flying Out West

Everyone is super excited here because in just *2* short days we will be flying out to Nevada for 12 days!!!!!!!!! We have lots of wedding preparations to attend to as well as visit with our wonderful new Nevada family. We love you all and can't wait to see you SOON!!!!!

Wade & Kristina

Wade wanted to give Kristina something special to signify their *courtship*. He chose this beautiful bracelet that has her two favorite color beads (green & blue), along with three charms. One says, Hope, one says Faith, and the other says, Love. The clasp is a cross. Wade told Kristina that the cross signify's keeping God first in their relationship. Michael and I couldn't be happier with the young man that God chose for Kristina. He loves the Lord with his whole heart and compliments Kristina in such a beautiful way. We are excited to watch their story unfold. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!!!

Leighton & Kaitlyn Are Betrothed!!

On Saturday, July 21, 2012, Leighton asked Kaitlyn to be his wife. Her answer, of course, was .......YES!! We are so happy for the two of them and couldn't have asked for a godlier, loving man to be our daughter’s future husband. God is to receive ALL the praise and glory for bringing these two special people together in such an amazing way. We look forward to the exciting days ahead as we prepare for their upcoming wedding!!

Kaitlyn's ring has a 3/4 carat princess cut center diamond with 3 diamonds and 3 sapphires on each side. Their names are engraved on the inside of the ring :o)

The Countdown Begins...............

Dan, Leighton, and Wade will be arriving at our airport in less than 20 hours!!! Kaitlyn & Kristina are beyond excited. Well, we all are actually, but the girls, a little more so! It's going to be such a wonderful weekend of making beautiful memories! We are so thankful to God for His blessings!!!

Grandparenthood

Today we went over to Chet & Kelli's for lunch and a visit. Quade is 8 days old now and sweet as ever. He is so attentive and soooo strong. He holds his little head up and just stares at you. When you talk to him, he listens and tries to talk back. I may be a little biased, but he is the sweetest boy I know :o) Being a grandparent is such a blessing! We got some good pictures too!

Quade listening so attentively

Papa & Grammy kissing Quade

Proud Grandparents

Sweet Quade feet :o)

Talking with Grammy

<3 Quade <3

Proud Aunties, Kristina & Kaitlyn with Quade



Auntie Kristina, Auntie Kaitlyn holding Quade, Momma, & Grammy