Meal Planning Monday

Monday-Tuesday: The last of the leftovers.  :)

Wednesday: Chili

Thursday: Chicken and Dumpling Soup

Friday: Chili

Saturday: California Pizza Kitchen in my oven.

Thanksgiving Break Fun

I love working in a school district that gives a whole week of vacation for Thanksgiving.  I've much enjoyed a week to do what I want-my own plans, my own schedule.

Monday my mom, my grandparents, and I went to the zoo where we saw most of the animals, but of course the elephants and giraffes thrilled me most! Ruggles was top on our list for lunch, (one of Houston's best!), and then we stopped by the Museum of Natural Science to see the Civil War exhibit.  It was a great day with lots of fun conversation and laughter at the animals.

Bath time for Baylor and Shanti

Of course Tupelo and Bayor immediately put on 'sunscreen', with Tess's help, as soon as they went outside.  So much for bath time!

Swimming in their new pool!

Nanny, Dede, and Mom with Tupelo and Baylor splashing.

Mom feeding Mtembei

Mtembei munching the lettuce I gave him.

Tuesday was full of errands and then Teachers' Night out at Melting Pot with my friends Diana and Danielle.  Fabulous food and fabulous fellowship.

My grandparents had yet to experience the joy that is Bayou Wildlife, so on Wednesday Isaac and I took them to feed the animals and get 'bathed' by the same sweet deer that melted me to giggles back in March.

I found the kissy deer from March!

Nanny managed not to get nipped by the ostrich.

Nanny and an eland.

No worries...this llama didn't spit!

Cindy the Camel

Kissy deer!

Nanny and Dede liked the kissy deer too!

 Thursday was full of family and food, walks around the lake, and a few Christmas card photos.

Today we've been busy putting cleaning the yard and the house so we can dig into some serious decorating tomorrow.  We also had fun playing Loaded Questions with my parents and grandparents tonight.  Such a silly game!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Isaac and I attempt to be intentional in our thanks in our daily quiet times, but isn't it nice to have a whole day set aside to spend with family talking about all the blessings in our lives?  I love how old stories of thankfulness share more about my family's past as memories are stirred and shared with us youngins. 

Instead of inundating Facebook every day with something for which I am thankful, I decided to compile my list of 30 blessings in one spot on one day.  What are you thankful for this year?

1) Salvation in Christ Jesus.  I'd be nowhere without it.
2) The ability to read the Bible and grow in my relationship with Christ.
3) My family. They raised me right and love me always.
4) Isaac.  He's crazy enough to love me, quirks and all!
5) Bailey.  This dog has seen me through so much!
6) Aggie Belle.  This crazy puppy sure is fun!
7) Our other pets.  Hours of entertainment!
8) Friends.  Life would be so dull without them!
9) You knew this was coming...my Tundra!  Love getting to have a dream come true!
10) Extended family that's scattered everywhere.  I love them dearly, and they give me an excuse to quench my travel bug.
11) Horses.  Oh, the joy!
12) Texas A&M University.  Proud of this school and all I learned while there.
13) Trips to the beach.  Sand, waves, salt air, happy puppies.  Enough said!
14) Our home.  It's cozy and meets our needs.
15) Disney.  Magical
16) Books!  I love getting wrapped up in a story or learning more about our world.
17) The ability to be globally missional without leaving Houston.  Between my blog being read in over 20 countries on every habitable continent to teaching children from 5 of the habitable continents, I can be Jesus to the world so easily...maybe too easily.
18) The kids in our lives that our friends allow us sweet time with.  Love it!
19) Music.  Singing and playing make my world go round.
20) All those summers in Kentucky with my grandparents.  Lots of road trips and late night movie-thons.
21) My job.  Love sharing world cultures with kids.
22) Museums.  I'm a nerd, but I so enjoy a good exhibit.
23) Never being truly hungry or thirsty.  I realize I'm in such a tiny percentage of Earth's population.
24) Elephants and giraffes.  They remind me of God's incredible sense of humor and creativity.
25) Always having our needs met.  Someday, we might work on the wants, but we are so blessed to never worry about the needs!
26) Living so close to my immediate family.  Fun!
27) The ability to understand the glorious promise of earthly and heavenly adoption. 
28) College sports.  We've been highly entertained for countless hours thanks to our Aggies and Wildcats
29) Our Sunday School kids.  Sometimes I wonder if Isaac and I don't learn more from them than they do for us.
30) Being healthy and endo free for nearly 4 years!

Meal Planning Monday

Sunday: Sandwiches (we had a big lunch with our friends who moved away and were home visiting!)

Monday: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Tuesday: Teacher's Night at Melting Pot; leftovers for Isaac

Wednesday-Friday: Pearland!

Saturday: Thanksgiving De-tox, so probably sandwiches or leftover spaghetti from the freezer

British Booty!

My mother went to Britain without me, but oh, did she ever make up for it with British presents!!!  Mom knows I love England and Scotland dearly and that it was very hard for me to send her off without me as her tour guide.  She spent an awesome week experiencing some of my most favorite places on Earth.  I think she enjoyed every bit of it! 

Tote bag of the Royal Palaces, Knights and Castles book for my classes, Pearce bookmark, an Edinburgh sign for Isaac, St. George Chapel calendar, purse from Harrods, woolen Scottish cap for Isaac, Nativity set made in London for my international collection, Pearce magnet, 5 sets of postcards, 2 Mars bars, a crown Christmas ornament handmade at St. George's, and a woolen Scottish scarf. 

Merry Christmas to me!  And it's not even Christmas!!!  (I think I need a camera for Christmas.  Isaac's phone isn't cutting it anymore...)

Meal Planning Monday

Sunday: Church

Monday: Spaghetti and Garlic Bread

Tuesday: Eggs, Bacon, and Biscuits

Wednesday: Homemade Pizza since Mom surprised us with dinner on Friday

Thursday: Bacon and Mushroom Stuffed Chicken 

Friday: Spaghetti Leftovers

Saturday: Pearland to hopefully watch the Aggie BTHO Kansas!

Jake and the Neverland Pirates Cake

**If you've found this post helpful, please click the blue 'join this site' button on the right hand side of the screen.  Then check back for more awesome cake ideas from my super talented husband!  Thank you for visiting!**  Feel free to repost this picture, but give The Ozinga Outlook credit with a link back.  :)

Friends of ours asked for a sheet cake themed from the Disney Channel show "Jake and the Neverland Pirates", but with their son's name instead of Jake's.  Mr. Creativity gave them this.  The man amazes me!  Apparently Pirate Jake is cool, but not cool enough yet to have character cake toppers, so Isaac made his own with PowerPoint, cardstock, and our printer.  Pretty cool, huh? 

Meal Planning Monday

Sunday: Leftovers from T-bone Tom's

Monday: Chicken and Veggie Alfredo Biscuits

Tuesday: Leftover Taco Salad

Wednesday: Creamy Shrimp and Rice from Philadelphia Cooking Creme

Thursday: Tapestry Dinner for me; leftovers for Isaac

Friday: Homemade Pizza

Saturday: Mandy's Wedding

Birthday Girl

Happy birthday, Precious Girl!  We love you so much and hope your friends help you feel extra special today.  I wish I could see the look on your face when you get that bucket of water dumped on your cute head!  xoxo

Wise Advice

Found a new blog today thanks to a Phi Lamb sister.  Jen Hatmaker and her husband had 3 kids and then God told them to adopt two more.  :)  This makes me happy!  Ok, so this post she wrote is all about how to talk to friends who are in the middle of and directly post adoption.  I love her humor and her honesty.  Just had to share.  Happy reading!

National Adoption Month

November 1st: the beginning of National Adoption Month.  If I could lobby on Capitol Hill for any cause, adoption would be it.  It shouldn't have surprised me then that I received a text in middle of dinner from a dear friend who has been involved deep in the spiritual heart of Zambia with my family for over 15 years saying she had found a couple willing and excited to share all they know and help us through our adoption in Zambia.  Praise You, Jesus!  Oh, we're still months away from knowing IF we'll get to bring home our girl, but we're one step closer to that answer.  We may never make it home with a child from anywhere, but if others are encouraged to adopt because we have at least tried, then I deem us successful. If others come to serve Christ before themselves because of this, then we are beyond successful.  Father, You're timing is always perfect, and Isaac and I haven't doubted.  You are perfect, gracious, and sovereign in all things.  May You alone receive the glory, no matter our journey's outcome!  Bless Your name forever!

I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry.  Psalm 40:1