Merry Christmas

Can there really be a CHRISTmas without Christ?

Veterans Day

I hope everyone out there took the time to thank a veteran today. We take many things for granted in this country, especially our freedom. Thank you to all out there who have made the sacrifice, are making the sacrifice, and will make the sacrifice.

Also, I would err greatly if I didn't thank the One who paid the ultimate sacrifice through the shedding of His blood on the cross. Thank you Lord Jesus for freeing me from the bondage of sin.

Fresh out of the oven, before the Coconut topping was added.

My latest fat pill. Busy Day Coconut Cake.

All enjoyed. The wife said that this was her favorite to date.

I feel like I'm becoming Sir Mix A lot.

This time I called in reinforcements.

Already passing the tradition down.

The finished product. It's Brown Sugar Pound Cake. My best dessert to date.

Simple White Cake with Whipped Cream Icing

The initial product from scratch. O.K., maybe not the initial. This was cake two, because when I made cake one, I made a costly error. The directions called for baking powder, but I accidentally added baking soda. Although it looked appetizing, it had a funny aftertaste.














Here, I'm whipping the heavy cream to make my whipped cream.




















Just showing my amazing ability to multitask.
















The finished product. In contrast to last week, all who tried it enjoyed it. Finally, a success.

New Family Tradition- "Fat Pill of the Week"

"Fat Pill of the Week"
I'm starting a new family tradition called fat pill of the week. It is where I make a dessert from scratch for the whole family. Those of you who have served with me in the military should be familiar with the terminology of fat pill. For those of you who have not, please don't think that I'm that crude or politically incorrect.

The phrase first came about approximately 8 years ago. When you're in the infantry and training in the field, you do not normally have the opportunity to go to the chow hall (cafeteria) and enjoy a hot meal. Typically, it's either an MRE (Meal Ready to Eat), or some hot chow that was prepared hours prior. The food would be O.K., but a fellow officer and I when partaking in the meals continually looked forward to the desserts. No matter how bad the field was (cold, rain, or sometimes unbearably hot, sleeping on concrete or next to an incredibly loud snorer) the dessert would some how help you to temporarily forget all of that. Hence, the name "fat pill". I guess you could say that it was good medicine, except for around the tummy.

Anyway, Tara made too much rice yesterday, so I figured my first project would be rice pudding (I know it looks more like flan). Unfortunately, this project didn't go as planned. The instructions stated that the cooking time was 45 to 55 minutes, but it actually took 2 hours. With the prolonged cook time it tasted rather dry. Tara, Matthew, and Kayla thought it was disgusting, but Timothy seemed to enjoy it. As for me, thanks to Army food I can pretty much eat anything, so I had two helpings.
As for next week, since it is Tara's birthday I'm going to bake a cake. Hopefully, it will go a lot better than the rice pudding.

Number 4 is here

Our little Emma is finally here. Through all of our praying God blessed us with a safe and healthy delivery. Never did I imagine that the delivery would take place on my kitchen floor, nor that I would be the delivering physician. Through it all both Mom and baby are safe, and Tara was able to enjoy her first ambulance ride.
In reference to details, Tara woke me up at approx. 4:30 to let me know to get ready. Being that this was #4 I assumed (I'll never do that again) that we had some time, and figured I'd take a quick shower. By the time my shower ended Tara advised me that I needed to hurry, because her water broke. My intent was to try to get her up and race to the hospital, but the Lord had different plans. Tara told me to hurry and get some beach towels, because she felt the baby coming. Like a good husband I listened to her advice, and I'm sure you can figure out the rest. At 4:43 am on Thurs. morning little Emma was in her mother's arms, and her mother was lying on the kitchen floor. I have no pictures to prove any of this, but I do have a birth certificate signed by yours truly as the delivering physician. God is definitely good.

Here is where I delivered little Emma.

Mommy and little Emma enjoying the ambulance ride.

Mommy and the whole crew in the hospital.

My little lady.

The men of little Emma's life.

Daddy and his little girl.


The sisters are bonding well already.

Emma is adjusting well at home.

Future Soldiers?

Are these two going to follow in Daddies footsteps? Although I'd be honored if they did, my primary focus is their enlistment in the Lord's Army. Once there may their chief aim be to please their Commanding Officer.