Wordless Wednesday - I

Recipe

After posting about Josiah's birthday pie, I got a few requests for the recipe. So here it is, enjoy!

Cherry Almond Mousse Pie

1 can (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk, divided
1 square (1 oz) unsweetened chocolate
1/2 tsp almond extract, divided
1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked
1 jar (10 oz) maraschino cherries, drained
1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 cup cold water
1 pkg. (3.4 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
1 cup whipping cream, whipped
1/2 cup chopped toasted almonds
Chocolate curls, optional

In a saucepan over low heat, cook and stir 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk and chocolate until the chocolate is melted and mixture is thickened, about 4-5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 tsp. extract. Pour into pastry shell; set aside. Reserve eight whole cherries for garnish. Chop the remaining cherries; set aside. In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese until light. Gradually beat in water and remaining milk. Add pudding mix and remaining extract; mix well. Fold in whipped cream. Stir in chopped cherries and almonds. Pour over the pie. Chill 4 hours or until set. Garnish with whole cherries and chocolate curls if desired. Yield: 8-10 servings

Cake or...?

When your kids are little you always make them cake for their birthdays. I've found that now my kids are getting older they request other things. For instance in the past I've made ice cream cakes, cheesecakes, and now these.

Josiah's request this year

Cherry Almond Mousse Pie

Very yummy!

Tastes like a chocolate covered cherry.

Had to make two so there would be enough

for everyone and have leftovers for later.

We always had cake when I was growing up. So of course, being a traditional kind of person, I assumed that's the way it would be for my kids. However, that is not the case.

I have to admit that I like the variety. It's good to think outside the box.

How about you? Is it always cake or do you change it up?

He's Such a Poser

We always take pictures of the birthday kid with their gift and the sibling that gave it to them. This year, Josiah's personality really showed up in the pictures. He's such a poser...

Christiana and Josiah

Kaitlyn and Josiah

Micah and Josiah

Josiah and Jim.

Gee, I wonder where Josiah gets it from???

Wordless Wednesday - Ready for Work

Joshua dressed himself to

go to work with Daddy.

Over his pajama's, he's wearing one of Daddy's

shirts and some of his big brother's shoes.

He's On Facebook Now

Now that Josiah is 13 he's allowed to have a FB page. I'm so proud of him for waiting until he's 13 (because those are the rules) to even want to open a FB account. We actually asked him when he was 12 1/2 if he wanted a page (just to find out what he would say) and he told us he wanted to wait until he turned 13 because those were the rules. Now that really showed us his character. I'm so proud of his desire to do what's right.

Of course there are rules set up for him, because we all know how FB can become addictive and can be a distraction from other more important tasks. He's learning :)

Josiah so happy to have a FB page.

Day one on my computer checking FB.

All of the sudden, he looks so grown up.

Josiah

Well, it's official, I am the mother of two teenagers. Josiah turned 13 on Saturday. I can't believe it, it just doesn't seem possible. He has filled our lives with laughter and joy and enriched these last 13 years of my life. He is so handsome and I am proud of of the young man he is becoming.

Josiah I am so proud to be your Mom. God has blessed me by giving you to me as a son. I pray that you will continue to seek God in all that you do and remember that He is the answer to everything you will ever endure. Allow His word to be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path and you can't go wrong. I love you.