First Snow!

Our first snow came yesterday, very early for my taste, but none the less, it happened.  It’s all melted away and back in the 60’s thankfully today.  Since it’s been 8 years since we lived in a place where it snows, and two of our children have never played in our own snow, I figured pictures were in order.  Enjoy the photos.  I will admit it is pretty!(Kenzie has been sick with step, therefore, I would not let her go outside, so her brother, Kaden brought her a bowl of snow to eat!  How sweet!)

Love from Indiana,

The Daniels

Manna Bags

I have always had a huge heart for needy people, of all kinds.  Several years ago, a service project we did with our church, was to make manna bags.  I have made them ever since.  Let me explain.  Manna bags are zip lock bags full of non-perishable goodies, a water bottle, and a Bible verse.  You keep them in your car and have them to hand out to the homeless or people begging on the streets.

Since moving further north, I have encountered so many men holding signs like, “Laid off, need help”, “Have 3, 4, etc. babies at home, need help”, “Will work for food”.  There have been a few that I thought might not be legit, but figured it wouldn’t hurt for him to bring home some goodies to his kids, if indeed there are any.  But let me tell you, on Saturday, after shopping for winter boots for the family, we left the store.  At the stop light was a man, holding a sign that stated, “Laid off, need help”.  Kevin and I both noticed his demeanor, his lack of eye contact, and his heavy heart.  Kevin rolled down the window and said, “Sir, here you go”.  His eyes met ours, had a short glimmer of light and he said, “God bless you sir, God bless you”.  All 6 of us in the car were either in tears or nearly there.  No matter what your religious beliefs or your morals, if you are a father, you have the God-given desire to provide.  This man was ashamed and humiliated, but was willing to beg for his family.  That is so sad to me.

Being further north in the U.S., we’ve noticed so many people in need.  In the last week, we’ve given 10 manna bags to 10 different people!  That’s crazy.  I am not sure if these people are seasonal workers (don’t deal with that too much in SE Texas), or union, or if it is just the economy.  It’s really affected me more than ever.  There has to be something we can do.  Until I find out how to help these people in a larger capacity and know charities in the area and shelters, I will always have a manna bag in tow.  I absolutely can not leave someone in need empty handed.

My hopes are that you make some manna bags too.  With the holidays approaching, there may be more and more people in need.  The weather is cooling as well as the economy.  Here’s what we put in ours today (a family project): gold fish, granola bars, water, bagged cookies, crackers and cheese, oatmeal cookies, Chex mix, cinnamon rolls, cereal bars, and a piece of paper that reads, “For I know the plans I have for you , declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ~Jeremiah 29:11 (& on the other side): May your future become brighter as our family prays for you today.  Trust in the Lord and He will give you strength”.

It doesn’t get more hopeful than that!

With love,

Tiffany

Fall Favorites! (Free Recipe too)

I am loving the fall weather and trees here in Indiana, as I’ve said.  So, I decided to make a list of some of my fall favorites…

*Caramel Apples

*Football

*Soup

*Hoodies

*Red

*Boots

*Yellow

*Scarves

*Apple Cider

*Volleyball

*Weather

*Bonfires

*Nature Walks

*Leaves

*Hayrides

*Pumpkins

*Leaves

*Nuts

*Chicken Salad

Speaking of Chicken Salad…would you like a recipe?  Here’s mine.  I came up with it years ago when I was on a diet, and we all love it.

 

Tiff’s Chicken Salad

3 lg. chicken breasts, cooked; or 3 cans of cooked chicken

1 sm. yellow onion, chopped

15 grapes, halved

2 gala apples, chopped

1 tsp. lemon juice

4 heaping T. of Miracle Whip

Combine all ingredients in large bowl and chill.  Serve on bread or with crackers or with my favorite….bagel crisps (from Sam’s).

Enjoy, I know we do!

Fall Photo Shoot: Outside

We had an outdoor photo shoot on our property today.  Here are the results…beautiful, I think.

God’s Masterpiece!

With the recent move to northern Indiana, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful fall colors along with the lovely weather!   Of course, being out on our property has provided such joy with exploring nature and enjoying the trails on our 4 wheelers.Kaden and Kenzie-Mae and I have had the awesome experience of watching hawks dive for fish in our pond.  It is a thrill to watch the hawk circle the pond looking for his meal, then swoop and come up with a fish in his claws.  We definitely didn’t see anything like that in Texas.We have a group of geese that like to visit us as well.  They eat in our yard and fly in their v-formation then, gracefully land for some relaxation in the pond.  I never realized how serene their sounds can be.Although I truly love and miss Texas, we are all enjoying spending much more time outdoors.  The temperatures allow much more of that right now.  We even have enjoyed nights by our fire pit.  It’s amazing how the six of us sitting around a fire strikes up meaningful conversation and allows us to connect.

God truly is good.  His works are amazing.  I am soaking up all His glory in His creations.  I have even found that during the day when I am home alone or after dinner at night that a slow ride on the four wheeler allows great time for reflection and prayer and praise.  What joys the Lord has allowed me in His creation of nature as I am dealing with being away from my church and my friends and what I knew as my home.

Inspired in Indiana,

Tiff

My Day!

They say a picture is worth 1000 words...welcome to my day!

New Home

Our family uprooted once again and made the transition from Texas to Indiana (Chicago metro-area). There were other changes besides moving from the polite and loving South to Yankee-ville. We ventured out and found a house on 7 & 1/2 acres. It's been a change for all of us, but 2 weeks into it, I think it has been a good one. We've invested in some 4-wheelers and have been able to spend a lot more time outdoors, as the temperatures are much more bearable this time of year.

The kids all have adjusted very well to school here. Kai and Cami both feel like they have been here much longer, the kids seem to have accepted them with open arms. Both of them are playing volleyball and have been accepted there very well too. Its very refreshing. Kaden has taken the change okay too. He's made some friends and talks constantly about a boy who is "bigger than me", which is a first in his grade! Kenzie-Mae started kindergarten here and loves it. She has some great new little friends and has noted some "hot" older boys (the same age as Kaden). All in all, school seems like its a great fit!

Leaving Lumberton, was one of the hardest things I've done because it's a place I actually felt I could stay, which has never happened to me before. A lot of that had to do with our wonderful church family and my dear friends. However, we all felt this is where God called us to be. Everyone seems to have their fit, I am just waiting for mine. I know God will show me my way in due time, I am usually a little harder to fit...church and friends will come in time.

This city girl has learned a few things about myself in the past two weeks: I am not "country" by default, it will take some adjusting, I do love nature (it is so beautiful here; lakes, trees, vegetation, hills, the sky, stars, etc.), it feels good to be able to stretch out on your own property, and go out in the woods and explore with your kids, grounding chords are not snakes, and the rest of my family is happy and at peace here, so, I will make it work.

I miss all of my wonderful sistas, but am thankful for texting, phones, email blogs and facebook! I feel connected still....

Signing off from Indiana for the first time!

Select-ed!

Kailyn has fallen in love....with a sport! It's her passion, her reason for being (right now), and her first love for sure....it's basketball. She's had a wonderful opportunity to play select basketball, against higher level players, and up an age group (There's no competition here locally). She's improved so much. It's been awesome to see her step up and play with girls who've got 7 years head start on her. Many of them have played since kindergarten. She's got game & we're her number one fans! Go Lumberton Lightning!

Kenzie-Mae's Debut

Kenzie-Mae had her very first recital on Saturday, May 22. She loved the stage, her trophy, the hair and make up, and showing off 9 months of hard work. We are so proud of our little cheerleader (who knew?). It's awesome to see your child in their element. I look forward to the many years of this...

Daddies & Diamonds Are Forever!

Our family was honored to be a part of Crestwood's First Annual Father Daughter Banquet. I must say, for this being our first time to put on something like this, it went very well. The dads and their beautiful princesses had a blast! What great memories for the girls and the daddies. They aren't little long...

Missing You...

In memory of my grandpa, Harvey Oertwig, who recently passed.... Thank you for your sense of humor, you always made me laugh. Thank you for chasing my kids around your house and leaving them with great memories, even though it made you tired. I can remember Cami standing in your boots, which went up to her thighs, when she was two...no one else can fill them quite like you did. Thank you for being there in my teens, when I felt there was no one else to turn to. Thank you for your service to your country as a Marine and to your community in your many various ways. Thank you for loving grandma, even though we never saw how you truly loved each other until you were very sick. There are things that I am not so thankful for too, but those memories and feelings will disolve with time, the good ones won't. You were a good man. I am thankful for that. Thank you for the last thing you ever said to me. I laughed it off at the time, but you were right, it was true. I will treasure that moment forever. The thing I will miss most about you is your laugh...even as an 80 year old man, you still lauged like a kid. What a priceless gift. I love you and miss you and life will not be the same without you. Thank you for the memories...