The Bender's

Baby Talk

2012-02-01T10:51:00.000-08:00

Baby Talk

2012-01-31T06:56:00.000-08:00

Defying Odds

2012-01-31T01:24:00.001-08:00

I read this post and watched this Fox News clip yesterday. It was such an encouragement to see this little face who is defying odds. I will say, my sweet one did not live three plus years, but she, by the hand of the Lord, has also been a teacher of good things. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2012/01/29/santorum-takes-break-from-campaign-trail-as-daughter-is-hospitalized/

Camping

2012-01-29T08:32:00.001-08:00

Davison's first camping experience with The Girl's...

Needless to say,

he will soon agree with the rest of us,

"It's never dull around here!"

Mini Cheesecakes

2012-01-28T15:27:00.000-08:00

Sabrina loves these cheesecakes. Her Aunt Jacque makes them for her often...Sabrina is very thankful for that;)

Tea on the Square

2012-01-28T12:24:00.000-08:00

Another local event I designed, as darling as can be-- simply for the company kept! Sabrina, Darcy, and our neighbor, Dawn, having Tea on the Square...

Double Happiness

2012-01-28T10:20:00.001-08:00

This week I was blessed to be a part of post-wedding reception for two newlywed couples. It was a group effort, and such a lot of fun. Julie Knickerbocker made the beautiful cake wishing, "Double Happiness," to these two couples.

Crazy Hat Day

2012-01-26T05:05:00.000-08:00

"Mahvelous, Darlin',"

"...Simply Mahvelous!"

Chugga Chug...Choo Choo!

2012-01-25T09:48:00.000-08:00

Darcy playing with Davison's future Christmas present...
I think she has confiscated it for now! He's not minding too much, the Lil' Bobble Head:) I'm positive that opinion will change, he is, after all, a "Bender!"

The Scoop

2012-01-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

One day, about three blurry, pre-Davison months ago, I found, much to my dismay, after loading a HUGE load of laundry into the washer, a measure of Tide adding up to a measly dribble!

As a bit of history here, I need to inform you I had recently tried homemade detergent (Washing Soda, Fels Naptha, Borax) and it just didn't work for us. My Shane really *LOVES* his Tide!

Desperately (well, when it comes to Mt. Laundry-- you feel that desperate!!!) wanting my laundry "caught up" I reached for my leftover DIY ingredient, Arm and Hammer Washing Soda, also known of late (as Minnie Mouse would swoon), "My Hero!" I am in love, well, as much as you could be with a box of soda!

image from here

So here's why I'm in love:

1. It saves me time and money
2. Oxy Clean has not been my go to friend for "911 Spaghetti Splash!"
3. No complaints have been filed against the scaled down measure of Tide.
4. I'm not spending hours pre-treating The Girls' and Davison's laundry.
5. It's working for the Bender's:)

I could go on and on, but all good things must come to an end;)

So here is The Scoop:
1/4c *Arm and Hammer Washing Soda
*Detergent aisle/a whoppin' $3 (and you can get coupons from their site)!
1/8 c Tide (ours was Original/liquid) or your choice of detergent)
For Kiddie Clothes that need TLC:1/4c Resolve-- pour straight into the *filled washer (and do the "Happy Dance!"). Set on the Soak Cycle.

*If you don't have a Soak Cycle, allow the washer to fill (add Resolve here if you need to treat clothes), let it churn for a bit, raise the washer lid, and set a timer. Close the lid when the timer expires and allow the wash to continue its cycle.

*Disclaimer:This may not work for your laundry due to differences your city's/county's water.
Also, the absolute severity of the stain could be a factor. (*Try filling a bucket with hot water and stir in 1/4 scoop of oxy clean. Add the soiled garment and soak for a day/several days. Wash as usual. *A tip from my friend, Jocelyn:)
I have only used this method with Tide, *BUT,* A&H touts, "Boosts your laundry detergent up to 40%!"

All I can say is, "Try it for $3!" It might save you time and money!

Our Silly Monkeys!

2012-01-25T06:13:00.000-08:00

Two silly monkeys--

Sabrina, along with her monkey ready for Spirit week!

Silly Glasses Day is challenging
when you already wear glasses:D
Oh, Sabrina! She's so much fun!
Such a funny monkey she is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAtY7z_ru_4&sns=em

...three silly monkeys
Darcy stealing the show (and Sissy's glasses)!

Love these crazy girls!!!

Gull-p!

2012-01-24T06:06:00.000-08:00

Gull-p! It's Spirit Week here in The Valley! Sabrina, with her *awesome* poster! She is so excited.

"We Made the Paper!"

2012-01-18T06:14:00.001-08:00

It was the request of our family friend that Lil' D show his handsome face in the local paper. This morning, his wife, Suzie called and announced, "We made the PAPER!" Oblivious (with a slight touch of postpartum noodle brain), "I wondered what in THE wide world did I miss yesterday?!!!" My relief perhaps outweighed my joy, Davison's picture had, indeed, made the Knoxville News.

I wish CJ could have seen it published; he has since left us for Heaven. We did send him the picture of choice before had passed.

"...We made the paper, CJ."

We surely miss him. What a precious time we had knowing CJ Patton...

http://m.knoxnews.com/photos/galleries/2011/dec/28/babys-first-christmas/

Photo by Picasa

Contributed photo
Five-week-old Davison Bender
is the son of Shane and Jennifer Bender
of Knoxville.

Uncle Jerry's to Die For Quiche

2012-01-05T08:35:00.001-08:00

My Uncle Jerry, who is quite the foodie, made breakfast for my mom and dad. It has since been crowned, *Uncle Jerry's to Die for Quiche.*

6 lg eggs
1 1/2 c heavy cream
Salt pepper
Whisk together

Ham diced 2 cups
1 1/2 med onion finely chopped
2 lg portobello mushrooms
Sauté above in but of olive oil until cooked

1 deep dish pie crust
Cook in oven for 5 min

Defrost 10 oz pack spinach, squeezed dry

Layer cooked veggies, then spinach, Swiss and sharp cheddar shredded cheese in layers--alternating cheeses each layer.

Whisk and pour egg mixture, lifting ingredients to endure corporation.

*375/30-35 min

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2012-01-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

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Kinect-ted:)

2012-01-03T07:10:00.000-08:00

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed!

2012-01-02T09:30:00.001-08:00

Our Lil' D...
"Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed"
after a five hour stretch
that was heading towards 3:00 am.

Perhaps, there is hope for parents to SLEEP, after all!

"There's no Wrong Way..."

2012-01-02T09:28:00.001-08:00

"There's no wrong way...to eat a...{Cheeto}!"

Pretty in Pink

2012-01-02T09:25:00.001-08:00

Sent from my iPhoneA Christmas greeting from our friends, the Troell's-- Abbie, Katie, and Allie, pretty in pink and ready for Christmas!

The Guessing Game

2012-01-02T09:21:00.001-08:00

Sent from my iPhoneThe votes are coming in. We think these two are carbon copies of one another!

2012-01-02T09:19:00.000-08:00

Sent from my iPhoneCan you tell who is who?

A Decided Likeness

2012-01-02T09:18:00.001-08:00

Sent from my iPhoneI stumbled across this picture on the Internet and laughed outright at the decided likeness to...*Me!* I could have a *great* time with a blow torch, I'm sure!

The Gift of Friends

2012-01-02T09:14:00.001-08:00

Sent from my iPhoneMy sweet co-workers of Little Creations at Beaver Dam Baptist Church gave us a precious Christmas. These absolutely gorgeous dollies were the given to our girls among other gifts for our entire family. We are so humbled, grateful, and blessed to know these dear ladies and call them *friends.*

2012-01-02T09:06:00.001-08:00

Sent from my iPhoneDarcy's sweet doll baby with straight stick hair, dubbed affectionately as, "Curly."

Twice Given

2012-01-02T09:04:00.001-08:00

Sent from my iPhone...Our son on his miraculous way home after a standard newborn surgery for pyloric stenosis accidentally resulting in a staph infection, which caused a cardiac and respiratory event, lead to a second surgery and a three day grueling, prayer filled stay in the PICU. We are thankful to the God of Heaven for the seemingly unimportant events He orchestrated in *moments* that could have been tragic. This is our son, twice given. "There IS a God, and HE careth for {us}." "Together" is a beautiful word.

2012-01-02T08:50:00.004-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:50:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:48:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:47:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:46:00.002-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:46:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:45:00.003-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:45:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:44:00.002-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:44:00.001-08:00

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Baby Boy

2012-01-02T08:43:00.000-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:36:00.003-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:36:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:34:00.001-08:00

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2012-01-02T08:33:00.001-08:00

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Starbucks Customers

2012-01-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

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Starbucks Customers

2012-01-02T08:29:00.000-08:00

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Starbucks Customers

2012-01-02T08:27:00.001-08:00

The Girls at Starbucks enjoying hot chocolate,

~an expensive hot chocolate~
November, 2010.

{just so you know, we were there, too}

Happy Birthday to Jesus

2011-12-16T06:45:00.001-08:00

Sabrina, singing with the Primary Choir... I so enjoyed hearing them sing. They are much calmer (and far less "wiggle-ly") now than when I taught them a few years ago in Preschool Choir;) What a blessing to know and love them, and to watch them grow serving the Lord as young children. What a beautiful sight! Darcy Girl, singing with the Preschool Choir, she is getting so big. I am so thankful to the Lord for ALL of these sweet ones. I pray they grow up beautiful for Jesus.

Oh, Christmas Tree...

2011-12-15T10:35:00.000-08:00

Darcy sitting by the Christmas tree
enjoying a good book...

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-15T09:44:00.000-08:00

Sudden Smiles...

2011-12-15T09:27:00.000-08:00

Sabrina was tickled to death to see Davison smile at her and Darcy...

2011-12-15T04:19:00.000-08:00

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Elf on the Shelf

2011-12-14T17:16:00.000-08:00

Our "Elf on the Shelf" was found
in the wing back chair...
We have decided
"O. Henry"
is a good name for the little guy...

A Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T18:08:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving 2011, will always be
one of our favorite holidays to remember
...for obvious reasons.

"Together" is a beautiful word.

Short Stories

2011-11-27T18:02:00.000-08:00

The Short One, so proud of her new brother, fitly christened, The Shortest One...

Sissy...

2011-11-27T13:23:00.000-08:00

Sabrina, also known as,
~Sissy~
to the shorter folk around here...
teaching and taking care of everyone,
which is her usual routine.
She's a sweetheart.

Little Boy Blue

2011-11-27T11:54:00.000-08:00

Flowers from our sweet neighbors, CJ and Susie...
What a blessing they have been in our days.

Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-27T11:50:00.000-08:00

Happy Thanksgiving to the Bender's
~from Papaw and Mamaw Schiefer~

The flowers were beautiful, we enjoyed them.
The colors were so vibrant! Thank you!

2011-11-24T01:46:00.001-08:00

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2011-11-24T01:40:00.001-08:00

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2011-11-24T01:39:00.001-08:00

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Birthday Fun!

2011-11-24T01:38:00.001-08:00

Sent from my iPhoneMy Shane asked me if I wanted to go to dinner tonight for my birthday. My response, "Honey, I will go out to dinner because it's a Tuesday."

Due to my postpartum noodle brain he dutifully reminded me, "Babe, it's Wednesday."

"Well, I will go out to dinner because it "WAS a Tuesday yesterday. Yes, I would love to go to dinner!"

That said, he treated me to wonderful dinner for my birthday. We had such a fun time. The surprise guest was one of the evening highlights (3.5 weeks early, baby boy, aka our son).

Thanksgiving 2011

2011-11-23T12:16:00.000-08:00

...all bundled up and watching White Christmas

...well, all but one;)

Yellow Makes Me Smile

2011-11-23T08:34:00.000-08:00

I love yellow, it is such a cheerful color. It always makes me smile.
I recently had opportunity to design a wedding reception for my dear friend's granddaughter.

Here are a few pictures of the happy occasion.

Just Because...

2011-11-23T08:20:00.000-08:00

Just a few pictures of the girls before
they sang at church during the Mission's Conference.
Enjoy.

The Hostess with the Most-ess

2011-11-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

In celebratory anticipation of my son's impending birth,
recently, a friend lovingly prepared an
exquisite Fall Tea for me on my front porch.

The food was, honestly, forgettable,
but the hostess was undeniably--most enchanting.

"Goin' out to Town..."

2011-11-22T12:04:00.000-08:00

Baby Davison, all bundled up and ready for his first, as Granny Mc would say, "Goin' out to town" trip. He looks so stinkin' cute...

All Tuckered Out

2011-11-21T18:52:00.000-08:00

Not an Everday Occurence...

2011-11-21T18:43:00.000-08:00

"It's not everyday that you get a new brother..." Mamaw Mc.

I think the girls have voted to keep him for now.

Dear Henry, Dear Henry...

2011-11-21T16:13:00.000-08:00

"We LOVE Hen-ry in the nur-ser-y..."
said his smitten nurses.

Davison is already making his impression on the ladies...

Mick, Mack, Mc-Donald's

2011-11-17T04:28:00.000-08:00

Papaw and Sabrina off for the
"Early Bird Special" at Mick, Mack, Mc-Donald's
...a new tradition for her!

I love my Daddy; he's always made life fun.

"Together" is a beautiful word.

Homeward Bound

2011-11-15T15:44:00.000-08:00

Snuggle Bug Bender

2011-11-13T12:00:00.000-08:00

Me and our little baby doll...

2011-11-11T10:34:00.001-08:00

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2011-11-11T09:21:00.001-08:00

Our Dear Suzie

2011-11-10T21:04:00.001-08:00

2011-11-10T21:03:00.001-08:00

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Mamaw and Papaw Visit

2011-11-10T20:26:00.001-08:00

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Lovingkindness

2011-11-10T13:35:00.001-08:00

"Thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes..." Ps 26:3

Henry Davison 6 lbs and 1 oz 19.5"

The Day of Small Things

2011-11-09T05:30:00.000-08:00

{Mamaw Young and Sabrina Glynne}

Zechariah 4:10
"For who hath despised the day of small things?"

My Mother...
"She will come from her busy day...
She will lift me on her lap.
She will wrap me tightly in the quilt.
She will read to me until
sleep outruns my imagination...

She will place a value
on me that will follow me through a lifetime.

In her lap I learned songs, stories, and Bible verses.
As I gazed into her clear green eyes,
she prepared me for the pivotal decision of a lifetime.

...She, like Zerubbabel,
had laid the foundation for a lifetime.
She made the small decisions,
to break away from the bustle of the day
...to invest her words and faith into my young life."
--Glenda Young McClellan

"It can never be said--of any one of us,
'I was not loved."'

The Bender's

Baby Talk

Baby Talk

Defying Odds

Camping

Mini Cheesecakes

Tea on the Square

Double Happiness

Crazy Hat Day

Chugga Chug...Choo Choo!

The Scoop

Our Silly Monkeys!

Gull-p!

"We Made the Paper!"

*Uncle Jerry's to Die For Quiche*

Kinect-ted:)

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed!

"There's no Wrong Way..."

Pretty in Pink

The Guessing Game

A Decided Likeness

The Gift of *Friends*

Twice Given

Baby Boy

Starbucks Customers

Starbucks Customers

Starbucks Customers

Happy Birthday to Jesus

Oh, Christmas Tree...

Merry Christmas!

Sudden Smiles...

Elf on the Shelf

A Happy Thanksgiving

Short Stories

Sissy...

Little Boy Blue

Happy Thanksgiving

Birthday Fun!

Thanksgiving 2011

Yellow Makes Me Smile

Just Because...

The Hostess with the Most-ess

"Goin' out to Town..."

All Tuckered Out

Not an Everday Occurence...

Dear Henry, Dear Henry...

Mick, Mack, Mc-Donald's

Homeward Bound

Snuggle Bug Bender

Me and our little baby doll...

Our Dear Suzie

Mamaw and Papaw Visit

Lovingkindness

The Day of Small Things

Uncle Jerry's to Die For Quiche

The Gift of Friends