Our Favorite Cookie...

I am a self-proclaimed cookie monster!  I have the worst self-control when cookies are around.  It is not uncommon for me to sit down and eat 6 at a time...yes you read right....6.  I have been asked a few times for this recipe so I thought  I would share it so you can indulge with me...

Smartie Monster Cookies

1 cup margarine

1 + 1/4 cup white sugar

1 cup brown sugar

2 cups crunchie peanut butter

4 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. vanilla

1/2 cup honey

1 - 12 oz. pkg chocolate chips

1 - 12 oz. pkg of Smarties (approx. 5 boxes)

6 beaten eggs

11-12 cups Robin Hood quick-oats

Cream margarine with white and brown sugars.  Add eggs, honey, vanilla and peanut butter. Mix well.  Add remaining ingredients.  Mix and drop by spoonful onto greased cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 11 minutes.  Recipe makes about 10 dozen cookies (so can cut recipe in half...or throw a bunch in the freezer.  They are delicious frozen and ready for company who unexpectedly stop in....if there is any left).  ENJOY!!

Our Treaters...

 Our little Fairy girl checking herself out in the mirror.  Yah, the ribbons in her hair only lasted about 10 minutes....and her wings are no longer recognizable they are so bent and the nylon snagged.  But...that is a fairy who has fun...

 Abigail thought the jack-o-lantern was pretty funny!  She often went and looked at it getting up real close and checking it out.  Dad and the little ones carved it on Sunday.  Addison helped with the one face, and Asher helped with the face on the back of the pumpkin.  I have a pretty creative husband let me tell you...

 Aidan was dressed up as some sort of zombie guy.  I think he actually had more fun spraying the fake blood on his shirt and shopping for his mask then he actually did wearing it.  This is the only photo he would let me take of him :(  He went out "when it was dark" with the boys in the neighbourhood to collect some treats and "scare some kids" as he told us.

 Addison the happy Police Officer!  All the little "accessories" that came with this costume really appealed to our 5 year old boy.  Even before Halloween the billy club and flashlight were misplaced and the handcuffs broke...but they definitely got played with!  As you might be able to see....I wouldn't let him removed the police badge (plastic tie still in place) as I knew that would might get misplaced too....boys oh boys....

 Asher our Astronaut!  This costume is sooo him.  He loves airplanes and rocket ships.  He loved wearing this "helmet" too and even when complaining of being so hot at his playschool class Halloween party, he would not take it off.  I love the Canada flags that adorned this costume.

 Let the treating begin....hitting up our next door neighbours first.

And...this is what the next 2 hours looked like.  Pillow cases in tow, kids running door to door.  Abigail trying to keep up with her bigger brothers.  Mom capturing the moments and dad running after the kids.  Aidan skateboarding around with us in our Close.  Then a quick drive over to Grandpa and Papa Pallisters for treats and a supper stop at McDonalds.  Back home to treat around the other side of the Close and a quick visit and treats from Grandma and Papa Giesbrecht.  Aidan and his friends hanging out next door on the road trying to get kids walking by to guess who was fake and who was real....us putting our candy bowl out on the steps so the little guys could settle and go to bed as they were so excited to give out candy.

  At bedtime Asher asked "how many more sleeps til next Halloween??"  Only 365 more sleeps son...that's all!   

Renewal

After writing on my blog yesterday...I had a great day.  I felt good...felt encouraged.  After we picked Addison up from school we picked up lunch and headed to the park to enjoy the nice Fall day.  Wes was able to meet us there and brought me and him some "real" lunch from Wok Box.  It was so amazing to be outside in the fresh air with few people around and enjoying the sun and the kids laughter.  I had a hard time doing anything "extra" before....we have kinda been doing the same thing for weeks...very routine not thinking I could "handle" any more.  I sat on the bench talking to Wes as the kids played and I commented "no wonder I thought my life was so dull before....we have been doing the same thing for weeks now."   Phil 4:13 states "I can do all things through him who gives me strength."  Yes indeed I can!!  Today I experienced that.  I would say that the rest of my day went good...I had patience...I was kind and loving and I saw my children through thankful eyes.

Last night as Wes and I watched "Heros" we exchanged a little love gaze and he said "I love seeing you smile."  That said it all.  For a woman who was searching to get her smile back and then he saw it in a genuine moment....wowie!  That was a fast renewal God....thank you!  I stand in awe....

So today I said I would get up and read His word.  Did I?  Nope...I pushed snooze on the alarm twice then hustled my butt to get ready and everyone else ready for the day.  But...in my quiet time (doing my hair and make up following my shower) I heard from God.  He told me an answer to my most ashamed question I have asked as of yet....why would you bless us with 4 children?  I have been wondering how I am supposed to handle it...and not just "get by" but "do it well."  He answered me and said that if He gave us any less children that I would not need Him.  He wants to be needed.  He wants us to tie into Him everyday and feed us daily.  "Give us this day our daily bread."  And think about the manna...He only gave them enough to eat for 1 day but was true on following through with what He promised...that it would be there for them EVERYDAY.  Again....wowie!  Thank you Lord for speaking to me today...so quickly with a response to a question I was embarrassed and ashamed to ask You.  I get it now Lord...I hear you loud and clear and I am on it!

Waiting, wanting and needing more of You and less of me.