Failing at Christmas

I fail as a mom everyday!  Those failures can add up quickly, and especially during this time of year.  My house doesn't look like a magazine.  The recipes aren't always delicious.  And my wrapped presents under the tree are hideous.  They look like my kids wrapped them, no joke, but it was all me!  How do I handle the small failures that add up to equal one epic fail?

All these thoughts started recently with our annual making of the gingerbread house.  We've tried kits, graham crackers, and so forth, but nothing looks picture perfect.  This year we went with a different approach...a log Christmas cabin with pretzel rods.  We started off strong, but before long it collapsed...epic fail!  I was frustrated and disheartened.  But, on the flip side, the candy was good, the hot coco we drank while making it was delicious, and we did laugh at parts of our building process. And thankfully, we had a few more crafts that actually turned out great!  (Check out our snowman mason jars at http://showingjoy.blogspot.com/)

I burnt an expensive bag of almonds that I was trying to make for candy gifts...but I successfully made my first key lime pie for my hubby's b-day!  Yay! (Check recipe out below!)

I made Christmas crepes for my girls and the first one was a definite mess, but the others turned out splendid.  Try, try again when things don't go your way!  I tell my girls that a lot, and this little experience reminded myself of that!

I printed the cutest Christmas lists for the girls to fill out, and my oldest informed me there might not be enough spaces for everything she wants.  Ouch!  Sting!  That was a major epic fail feeling as a mom!  But,  I was able to look past it when a few hours later she quoted Luke 2:8-14 and my little one, on her own, wanted to make a birthday card for Jesus.  Yay! Maybe they do get Who we are celebrating.



My gifts look like I wrapped them blindfolded, but isn't it what is inside that counts?

I may feel like the failures are huge, and our life this month feels like a whirlwind mess...and if I let my mind go to a bad place, I can feel like an epic failure...but isn't it what is inside that counts? 

 Isn't it Who is inside that matters?  

Am I letting the One we are celebrating rule in our lives and hearts?  Spending time with Him when it's busy, talking about His love and grace while we bake and decorate and wrap and be crafty.  Singing Happy Birthday Jesus all through the day.  

Keeping our eyes on Him and not the failures that make me feel frustrated...that's what can bring the joy instead of the heartache!

I hope you don't have the failing at Christmas feelings I have experienced over the last few weeks!

But, if you have, turn your eyes to the Savior we are celebrating for.  He looks past our failures and loves us unconditionally!  Epic fails and all, He loves us! 

Merry Christmas...no matter if it's not picture perfect...Merry Merry Christmas!

Luke 2:8-14

8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Pie Recipe...

http://www.food.com/recipe/key-lime-pie-30667

The easiest "pumpkin pie"

I blinked and it is Thanksgiving.  I can't comprehend where this year went.  I am not prepared for the chaos that is coming.  Deep Breath!!!!

I wanted to post a quick recipe that I tried last week for a gathering we had.  It was a last minute decision...and a pretty tasty one.  We are having a "pie and praise" night this Sunday at church, and I plan to make it again.  I love pies!  But, I do not make them that often.  I am also planning to make another homemade chocolate pie next week for my hubby's birthday.  I will try a different crust though.  I also saw the cutest pie bites on Pinterest, and I hope the girls and I can try them soon!

This does use a cake mix so easy is not even the word for it.  I reduced the sugar by 1/4 of a cup and only used 3/4 of a stick of butter.  With a scoop of ice cream, it was amazing.

http://www.duncanhines.com/recipes/cakes/Duncan%20Hines%C2%AE/pumpkin-pie-crunch/

Chocolate Pie

http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/grandma-s-chocolate-meringue-pie

Pie Bites

http://picky-palate.com/2010/12/20/kiss-pies/


If I am not back before Thanksgiving, I hope your family has a delicious and delightful Turkey Day!

That was awesome!

It's Monday afternoon. I should be running around getting school work finished, starting supper, finding cleats and shin guards, making sure the jerseys are clean, getting my husband's coaching gear ready, and so forth and so on...but I'm not.  Sniff, sniff, sniff!!!!

I thought I would be more excited about this day and more relieved that the season was over.  But after living at the soccer field for a few months, I am going to miss it!  I am thankful to have a normal Monday night at home, but I honestly forgot how to have a normal Monday night at home!  We miss the kids, the fun, and the excitement!  Three fields with three games all going at the same time.  Lots of cheering and whistles and running and kicking.  I didn't know being a real soccer mom could be so fun!

Neither of my girls had an undefeated season, but they both had great seasons!

It was funny to watch the difference in the two teams.

My oldest's team (in the 7-8 year old league) took things pretty seriously.  They were disappointed when they lost; they worked well together, and cheered each other on.  The goalies cried when they missed a goal, and we all encouraged them and said they would get the next one.  We cheered for the goals our team made, and we cheered for the other team after a collective "AAAhhhh!" was said.  They passed the ball.  They were excited to be there.  They improved every game!

My youngest's team (4-6 year olds) was a whole different story.  The kids just wanted to kick the ball.  They danced and chased butterflies.  They kicked the dirt and talked to each other.  They might have frowned when they missed the goal or they may just laugh, but it was no big deal.  They hardly payed attention to the game when it was their turn on the bench.  We all cheered no matter who scored...even if they scored in the wrong net.  And no matter if they won or lost, the kids only cared about the snacks!

We walked to the van after a game night where both girls lost.  One lost by only one goal, and the other lost by a lot.  The oldest was sad and disappointed, and the youngest was dancing and saying, "That was awesome!" (And she's the one whose team got creamed!)

If we could all have that perspective. We wouldn't take disappointments so seriously, and we would always see the bright side.  We'd pick ourselves up and still say, "that was awesome!"  But the older we get, the more losing hurts. It takes us a lot longer to find a bright side.

Today's Verse

"In the day of my trouble, I will call upon thee:  for thou wilt answer me."  Psalm 86:4

When I'm having a day when nothing feels awesome, and I feel like I'm losing...I will call upon Him.  He will answer.  He will help in my trouble.  He will help me find the bright side and give me the comfort I need.

I love that verse...it is awesome!

The most delicious pizzas ever...

Have you ever grilled a pizza.  I was skeptical, but the girls and I decided to get Daddy a pizza grill pan.  It is basically a metal pizza pan with small holes all over it.  Would we like grilled pizza? Would it burn easily?  There was only one way to find out.  We made 2 homemade pizza doughs. The girls had a blast doing this!  We used a basic dough recipe found online.  Nothing special...flour, yeast, water and olive oil.  The dough grew and grew, which was awesome to watch, and kneading the dough was like playing with playdoh!

We divided the dough to make 3 pizzas.  We pinched a small amount off of each batch to make a small desert pizza...YUMMY!

This pizza we made in the oven for 10 minutes on 400, and then broiled for a minute on high...

S more's Pizza - YAY!

Dough
2-3 Tbsp brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 cup chocolate chips
12-15 large marshmallows - halved
1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

Knead the sugar and cinnamon into the dough.  Place on a parchment lined pan and bake for 5-6 minutes.  Remove and add chocolate and marshmallows.  Return to oven for another 5 minutes or until everything is melted and the crust is done.  Broil to get that nice char on the marshmallows for the campfire feeling, and sprinkle with crumbs before serving!

We also made a regular peporoni and cheese pizza...extra cheese on Daddy's side.  The key to grilling the pizza is grilling the crust for 5-6 minutes and then flipping.  Add your toppings and return to grill for another 5-7 minutes, or until cheese is melted and crust is ready.

And finally...the best pizza ever!!!!  Get ready for a Philly Cheese Steak pizza!  Sooooo easy and sooooo delicious!

3-4 Tbsp of evoo

1 tsp onion powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 tsp salt

1 baby red pepper

1 banana pepper

1 jalapeno - if desired

8 oz. deli style roast beef

1 1/2 cups of cheese - we used cheddar and mozzarella

And the best part!  Don't question, just do it...

1/4 cup A1 steak sauce

Spread the crust with oil and sprinkle with spices.  Bake or grill for 5-6 minutes.  Add chopped peppers, chopped roast beef and shredded cheese.  Drizzle with A-1 and bake or grill for another 5-7 minutes.  Hope your family enjoys!

Today's Verse

"I will praise thee with my whole heart" Psalms 138:1a

Wednesday is pizza time...check out our new way of telling time over at http://showingjoy.blogspot.com/2014/10/telling-time.html

Colors

I am officially a soccer mom!  Wow!  How did this happen?  I don't even know all the rules to soccer!  I am a sports fan.  I can honestly say I completely understand the game of football (unlike my mom who asked how many innings there were in our big football game this weekend...lol!).  I love basketball and I love baseball, but now I must learn to love and understand soccer.  With my girls on two different teams, and my husband coaching my oldest's team...I am left with a lot of the dirty work of planning for practices, snacks, texting parents, etc.  Two different schedules and games overlapping, this should be awesome!  I am basically living at the soccer fields for the next month and a half, but we are excited.

After a late practice last Monday, we rush home to get super on the table, baths and spend a little time playing a game as a family.  My mind was going a mile a minute.  I was thinking of the other practices (don't forget there are still gymnastics, dance, co-op and church things too), the 4 dentist appointments on 3 different days, my husband leaving for the west coast and taking a red-eye back, school pictures, and you get what was going on.  I was worrying over how the week would get accomplished and if I would keep it together as it progressed.

Then in a moment, I looked up.  I was washing my hands at my kitchen sink, when one of those AAHHHHH! moments took place...

The picture doesn't do the sunset justice.  The colors were amazing.  The view was breathtaking.  The effects were so calming.  It was going to be a tough week.  But the Lord would give me moments like this to remember to take a deep breath, enjoy this hectic life, be thankful for my family, spend time with Him to give me strength, and always notice His beautiful creation. 

Today's Verse

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork."  Psalms 19:1 ESV

Take time enjoy and be thankful for the world the Lord created for us!  His colors and the reminders of His love are amazing!

Head over to showingjoy.blogspot.com to see a cool color project the girls did!

Negative Talk

My daughter recently told me she heard on the TV that "so and so" was a bad person.  "So and so" is replacing a politician's name.  Now I know politics are important, but I am not a fan of it. And right now, those attack adds are everywhere for a major race happening in our state.  Now the person she said was bad, happens to be the one our family will more than likely vote for.  So I tried to explain things for my sweet 7 year old to understand.

Thinking about it later that day, I wondered how many time she might have heard me be negative about someone.  The rude lady at the checkout, the mom that hurt my feelings, etc.  She's listening to the world around her, including me!  I don't want her to hear the negative talk, and I never want her to hear me being negative about another person.  Not only is she listening now more than ever (because we are together 24/7 while homeschooling), but she listening and absorbing the information, the reactions, the positive but also the negative.

I want her to look past the bad and find the good!  Always finding the best in people.  Realizing we all have bad day...but forgive and move on.  You can't always believe what you hear.  And the list of lessons to be taught is endless.

Being positive and building others up...that is what I want my daughter to hear!  No Negative Talk!

"Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do."  1 Thes 5:11

I'm watching what she says, and I'm making sure we talk about what she might hear on the tv or news.  But most importantly I'm making sure she understands that negative talk is not something we are going to do in our family, and we can all help each other out by reminding each other to focus on the good!


I posted over on Showing JOY about a fun thing we did last week!
Check it out!

Learning Cursive

Does anyone still write in cursive?

It is not my choice of script, but I sure have been relearning the don't lift your pencil letters with my second grader since school started last month.  It is hard!  It is tedious!  But, much like they say you never forget how to ride a bike, it is all coming back to me.  When I had to write Genesis 1:1 on the board this morning, it just flowed out like I had not taken a 20 year break from the beautiful loopy letters.

Does it matter that she learn to write in cursive?  I guess so...she needs to learn to sign her name!  But there are not many people that still use this form of writing.  Well, in all actuality, we are mostly typing these days and not writing at all...texts and emails make up our communication, not the handwritten letters of old.  Online banking has taken the place of writing checks.  And the list of new technologies that make paper and pen a thing of the past can go on and on.

I like the methodical feeling of never lifting your pencil. There may be hesitation as we learn and relearn, but once in the habit, the letters just happen and are beautiful.  We can't stop and think about it too much...just like life!

When I over analyze, hesitate or worry about the next thing, life seems to start to fall apart.  We have to 'let go and let God' as the saying goes.  Let life happen, trusting that He will make the events flow together for our good.  (Rom 8:28)  We don't know the future, but we know WHO holds it.

When I don't think too hard about the letters I'm writing, the beautiful, easy-flowing words appear.

When I don't think too hard about the trials I am facing, the beautiful, easy-flowing memories can take place in the midst of a not so beautiful world around me.

I'm not perfect in my cursive writing, and I never will be.  I will not ever be perfect in living without worry either. I will have sleepless nights and anxiety that seems to overtake on some days...but in those moments when I hand it all to God, the peace seeps in the broken places and I know it will all be ok somehow.

Today's Verse
"Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid." John 14:27b


Soooooo....I did start a homeschool blog.  I'm not sure how good I will be at keeping it up, but as always, I will try my best.  I did post a cursive activity we did if you would like to check it out!
https://showingjoy.blogspot.com/

Mmmmmm Muffins

Hands down, this is the best muffin recipe ever!  It freezes well, they are super tasty and they have peaches and walnuts inside.  I am not even a huge peach fan, but these are irresistible.  I saw a different version of this muffin on another site, but I have made a few changes and the result is sooooo yummy!  I wish I had a picture, but I can't seem to keep them long enough to take one :-)

To freeze, I just wrap individually in wax paper and freeze in freezer bags.  Heat for 30-45 seconds and they are amazing.  I hope your family enjoys!


1/2 cup of butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup lowfat plain yogurt
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen peaches
3/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 Tbsp brown sugar

Cream butter and sugar.  Add egg and yogurt and vanilla and mix well.  Combine flour and baking powder, stir into creamed mixture just until moistened.  Do not overmix.  Fold in  peaches and walnuts.  Fill greased muffin cups 3/4 full.  Sprinkle with brown sugar if desired.  Bake at 375 for 18-25 minutes.

Catching Up!

Sooooo....

Well it's been a while.  Not because I intended it to be.  Nor because I didn't want to post.  It just sort of happened.  Each day went by with very few moments for computer time.  Hardly any TV time. Just lots of fun in the sun and using our imaginations!  I'm not going to whine and cry that it is September...but I do think it might make me feel better.  Seriously!  But here we are in another school year, and we are ready for anything!  I blinked and the summer was over.  It is suppose to be hot hot hot here in NC this week, so it is not exactly fall yet.  But there is no pool (sniff) and too hot to go to the park (sniff sniff), so what in the world are we going to do?  Time to be looking up some Pinterest ideas!

Oh, and by the way, we are homeschooling this year for our second grader...YIKES!

So I really do hope to post more.  I am debating a separate home school blog.  I am excited.  I am scared.  We are beginning week three...and second grade is hard!  I previously did not write in cursive, but I do now.  It took me 8 times to write September in cursive yesterday on the board when preparing for today.  No joke!  I am thankful for this opportunity, and that I feel God has truly called us to do this for this school year, but I am overwhelmed!  My little one is still going to preschool three days a week, and we are participating in a cool co-op.  We have church; we will be starting soccer soon, and the little one is still in dance and the big one in gymnastics.  Life is still crazy plus doing all the school work.  But, I am just referring to my fave verse often...Phil 4:13... to sustain me.

Our theme verse for our home school is 2 Peter 3:18..."But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be the glory both now and for ever.  Amen."

Part of our mission statement says..."Learning to put Jesus first, others second and ourselves last." This is otherwise known as JOY.

J - Jesus first
O - Others second
Y - Yourselves last

This is something that can be hard for everyone, but we are trying to really instill this in our kids this year.  It will be an interesting year.  There will be some tough times...there already have been!  But we will grow in grace, we will learn more about Jesus, and we will hopefully come out of this in May saying this was an awesome experience!

Breaking

10 years.  For over ten years my husband and I have been married and now in July, (YIKES IT IS JULY) we will celebrate 10 years of living in our house.

Our small, little, cute and cozy house.

A "starter home" as they call it.  A home where newlyweds start their lives together.  A first place to call our own.

The two couples before us lived in this home for the first three-four years of their marriage, but once they had a child, they moved to a bigger home.

We assumed we would do the same.

We loved the house...and we still do...10 years later and 2 kids later!

Our plans didn't pan out.  The times we have tried to sell have been a no go.  We laugh sometimes about how long we have been here, and we cry sometimes too.  We pray and wonder what God has in store.  We joke about living here forever...and we just may...only the Lord knows.

But after 10 years, everything is breaking. Just in the last three months we have replaced the roof, the ac unit, and last week we had to get a new washer.  And while it was being delivered we discovered our doorbell is not working!

Everything is breaking!  And in return I have days that I feel like I am breaking too!  With everything that seems to be going wrong, there are times I don't want to begin the day for fear of what will happen next.

There are so many stories of feeling broken in the Bible, and David is a great example.  He could be at his lowest, but yet still praising God.

Today's Verses - Psalms 40:1-3a

I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.

He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.

And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: 

When I had a morning last week that I just wanted to feel broken all day, I thought of these verses. We are waiting as patiently as we know how, and we have to stay on the rock and not fall back into that miry pit.  

I read a great piece of advice today in The Secret Place.  "While we wait for the big, life-changing events to take place, we often ignore the small things.  They seem insignificant, but...they can change everything."  

Wow!  We can't let life pass us by waiting for what we think should happen.  We are on His time, and we can't break and pout while we wait...or we could miss all the other blessings happening around us!

Focus on trusting not breaking...  Ps 11:1a "In the LORD put I my trust"  

Focus on the blessings not the hardships... Phil 4:19 "My God shall supply all your need."

Focus on making today the best it can be not what could happen tomorrow...Matt 6:34a "Take therefore no thought for the morrow"

Focus on His strength not trying to do things by yourself...Phil 4:13 "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."  

Focus on Him and we cannot break!

The place I love the most in our darling house is our kitchen.  It made me smile the moment we walked in the very first time!  We have been spending a lot of time in the kitchen this summer...cooking and doing summer workbooks so as not to forget all we learned in preschool and first grade!  One of our favorite recipes also doubled as a science experiment...homemade marshmallows.  So good and so yummy!  So neat and fun!  Also, plain gelatin is sold in 4 pack boxes.  The marshmallows call for three, so I also included the pie recipe we used for the leftover pack.  Very tasty, especially if your family loves berries like we do!  We hope your family enjoys!

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/homemade-marshmallows-recipe.html

Pie...no photo, sorry!  

http://www.recipe.com/creamy-berry-pie/

Yay Yay Yay!!!!

Excuse me while I do the happy dance and sing "Yay, Yay, Yay!!!!"

What's the celebration about?

I prepared my last lunchbox for the school year this morning...and I am soooooo excited and relieved! And YES, it does cause me that much stress and frustration!

Wow, how the 13-14 school year flew by...and not that I am rushing life...but am I glad it is almost over.  We need a break!  And while I know many moms who dread the weeks of filling time over the summer break, I am just as excited (or more excited) than my kiddos!

For me it means - less driving, less waiting, no lunchboxes, no homework, more time together, less fighting, less stress, and all together a nice break!

My preschooler successfully finished her first year yesterday!  My oldest has a week to go, but we ordered pizza for her last lunch tomorrow and next week is all half days!!!!!!

Projects for the summer -  I have a lot of ideas running through my head, but a main one is finding more things my preschooler will eat in her lunchbox.  I have discussed the ups of down of having a picky eater before, and although she has made some improvements, we have a ways to go...especially before kindergarten begins in another year and I have to fix lunch 5 days a week!!!!

We have just a few summer months every year until the kids grow, get their license, get summer jobs, and will not want to hang with mom and dad and siblings. They'll be too cool for family vacations!  And although I don't want to think of those days ahead, in the back of my mind I want to make the most of this time.  It's a lot of pressure to make the summer months fun but also productive; filled with activities but also relaxing; lazy but not too lazy!  I am anxious to get started and already sad for when it ends!

I hope to live each day with gladness and thankfulness to be with my little ones!  I will lose my temper a few times, and they will aggravate each other, but for the most part, I want this time together to be exciting and something they will always look forward to.

Today's Verse

James 4:14

King James Version (KJV)

14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

Life is short, and time with our children while they are small is even shorter!  I pray for a fun and safe summer!  One filled with good memories and lots of hugs.  New recipes and lots of picnics. Fun outings and rainy days watching movies.  Days swimming and days playing.  New friends at new camps!  And a Fabulous VBS!

Heavenly Father, Thank you for this life, and help us to live it fully... praising You at the end of each day no matter what we have faced!



Recipe Links...

Surprisingly Good Slow Cooker Pancake...

http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/slow-cooker-cinnamon-roll-pancake/b72f7f2d-61b7-448a-908c-3704128ae9c4?src=SH


New favorite Cookie Bar recipe...

http://www.ourbestbites.com/2014/04/chocolate-chip-cookie-bars/


What my fantastic husband and girls made for Mother's Day - Delicious French Toast ...

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/perfect-french-toast-recipe.html


Hope your family enjoys!

Waiting is what I do best!

The title makes me laugh!  I sooooooo stink at waiting!  But there have been quite a few questions and prayers unanswered, so waiting has become the norm!  But I so love God's sense of humor in all of this...and yes I believe He has one and I love it when we see it!

We are beginning a new series at our church called "You Asked for It".  The pastor will be answering certain questions asked by the congregation.  I briefly thought of asking about why we have to wait so long sometimes and add in parenthesis (Do not tell me the story of Joseph!)  Well the thought of this question was Sunday and then Monday rolls around and guess who the P31 devo was about...oh yes....Joseph.  I laughed and laughed before I read it, and yes it was a great one!  The link is below.  But this morning, God thought it was time to get serious, and He lead me to verses that truly spoke to me and gave me the peace I needed after a rough few weeks!  

Psalms 16

8 I have set the Lord always before me: because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.

10 For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.

11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

When the Lord is our focus (always before us) so much happens...

1) We are not moved!  No matter the turmoil, our faith keeps us steady!

2) Our heart is glad!  When we are children of God, nothing can take the glad out of our heart!

3)We have hope!  Not only do we have that hope at our finger tips but we can rest in that fact!  No staying up with sleepless nights of worrying; we rest in Hope not found anywhere else!

4)  He will not leave us anywhere!

5)  He will show us His path...but remember He has to always be before us!  It's not going to flash on a sign, but when He is our focus we will find the answers in our prayers and reading!  

6) In His presence there is fullness of joy!  JOY!  I love joy!  It's not just happiness it's a way of life!  But you can't have it if your not in His presence which again involves that relationship of praying and reading!

7)  He offers pleasures for evermore!  Those pleasures are ours for the taking, but again it goes back to the first verse...He has to always be before us.

We can't do this alone.  We can't manipulate life to happen how we want.  We might think we know what is best, but we don't!  Oh how I needed these verses today...and the story of Joseph helped too!  I want to do my best for the Lord...even while waiting for directions!

http://proverbs31.org/devotions/devo/when-your-life-feels-like-a-mess-2/

A few recipe links...

Lasagna Cups - so good and easy!  I tweaked a little so just play with it.  I used homemade meat sauce and three layers of the wontons.  I love the wontons as pasta!

http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2011/08/lasagna-cupcakes.html

French Toast Muffins - My girls loooooved these so much!

http://www.tablespoon.com/recipes/french-toast-muffins/cb74717d-fe60-4bd2-93e0-30d6637eeef5/?nicam2=Email&nichn2=Core&niseg2=TBSP&nicreatID2=TBSP_Newsletter_2014_04_14

Pumpkin Granola Bars - Tasty!

http://www.mybakingaddiction.com/pumpkin-granola-bars/

What a difference a season makes!

Wow, what a stark contrast to the last time I posted...which I know has been foreeeeeevvvvverrrr!

We were dreaming of snow the last time, and today I am sitting in 70 something, perfectly sunny wonderful, beautiful day on my back deck...watching the girlies play and enjoying all the green scenery.

It wasn't my intention to not post for three months, but life happens.  Every time I would tell myself, "I will definitely post today!", the dream would be gone when my head hit the pillow at 11:00 or after, only to get 6 hours later and do it all again.  Oh there were so many stories, so many recipes, and a few recipe flops to tell of...but most have been forgotten.  My girls are a year older, and unfortunately/thankfully so am I.  We did have a snow storm, and then another, and a few ice occasions...is was a rough winter!  There have been trips, trials, and both of my girls grew an a few inches in one month.  I mean seriously they wore pants one day and the next week they looked as if they were preparing for flood waters!  We lost teeth, and there have been several emergency dental experiences!!!  It's been a great three up months, but a tiring three months!  We look forward to summer, but we don't want to rush through spring.  With four more weeks of preschool and five more weeks of first grade, I truly know what it means to say time flies!  

I hope to post some recipes soon, but I've learned not to promise myself anything when it comes to writing and recipes lately.  I also hope to write more, but with more end of the school year things making their way on the calendar, that more than likely may not happen either...but I will try hard!

I will close with this story...

My four year old, and yes my "baby" is now four and tells everybody she sees, started using a new big girl car seat.  I made the comment that I was going to have to get used to the new buckle and that it was too hard for Mommy!  She quickly replied, "Nothing is too hard for mommies!"  I laughed...not just at her trust in my ability and the abilities of all the mommies in the world, but because of the memory verse we had learned the previous week.  Great Teaching Moment!  

Today's Verse
"Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing too hard for me?"  Jeremiah 32:27

There is so much that is too hard for me.  Right now I am facing a decision that I know if I answer yes, it will be soooooo hard for me.  But, there is nothing, and I mean nothing that is too hard for the God of all flesh.  We rely on that promise everyday to get us through the hard parts!  We look to Him for the answers to the hard questions.  We trust Him for strength to get us through the rough stuff.  Is there anything you're facing that seems too hard...put it in His hands and know it will be worked out perfectly by the God of all flesh!

We're waiting!

We are home early from school!  We are watching the radar and peering out the window...hoping and praying for those first flakes of snow.  It has been a while since we saw those flakes fall and actually cover the ground, and I have two eager girls who can't hold their excitement much longer.  We sure want some snow cream and a snow man.  With a few extra groceries and my oldest making sure we had carrots for a snowman nose...we wait!

We wait for so many things.  I waited in line at the grocery store for a very long time last night.  I waited a while in the pick up line at school today as the whole school was released at once.  I wait for phone calls, for important dates, in the dentist office, for my girls to get their shoes on in the morning, and the list of waiting goes on and on.  But my biggest wait and my hardest wait is waiting on answers to prayers.

As a new list of waits and questions formed again at the beginning of the year, I had wondered if I could start another year with so much uncertainty looming again.  But an old faithful verse was brought to my attention last week.  As I faced a week of craziness with my husband out of the country, planning the biggest party I have ever thrown(and a surprise one to top it off), and so many other deadlines looming...the verse came and I was calmed.  It not only dealt with the waiting I feel like I am constantly doing, but it reminded me of my Source of strength and the only way I can get through it all!

Isaiah 40:31
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

We wait; He gives us new strength; we soar with His help; we run through this life and we keep going because He is there...we wait because He asks us to and because we know He has the perfect and best plan!  

So we will wait for snow the rest of the day...just like answers to prayers it may come today or it may not...but we will have fun while we wait.  Just as I hope to have fun this year even with looming questions and prayers that have yet to be answered!


Stay warm if its cold where you are...if it is warm I might be a little jealous!



We do have a roll of cookie dough in the freezer we may be breaking out to bake if we are snowed in tomorrow.  We made this recipe last week, but only baked half and froze the other half to bake later.  It was a great recipe.  It's called Cowboy Cookies, but we changed the recipe just a tad (including adding the pink and purple MMs dad brought back from a trip) so we called them Cowgirl cookies.  Hope your family enjoys!

Ingredients

2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
2 cups flour
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup packed light brown sugar
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips
1/2 cup MMs candy
1 cup chopped pecans

Directions

1. In a large bowl, stir together the oats, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
2. In a separate bowl, blend the butter and sugars with an electric mixer until smooth, about 2 minutes. Add the eggs and continue to beat until fluffy, about 1-1/2 minutes. Blend in the vanilla extract.
3. Using a wooden spoon, stir the dry mixture into the butter mixture one half at a time. Mix in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Refrigerate the dough for 1 to 2 hours.
4. Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a large, preferably light-colored baking sheet with aluminum foil, then grease the foil.
5. Using a scant 1/4 cup per cookie, shape the dough into balls and place them on the sheet about 2 inches apart.
6. Use your fingertips to flatten each ball to 1/3 inch thick. Bake the cookies on the center oven rack for 13 to 14 minutes, turning the sheet about halfway through. When they're done, the cookies should be very lightly browned and still look moist. Don't overbake them.
7. Cool the cookies on the baking sheet for 2 to 3 minutes, then transfer them to a wire rack.

2014

Happy New Year!

Yes, I know we are a week into the new year,  but it is still relatively new!  Excuse my delay but better late than never in my opinion.  The new year has been awesome, Christmas was spectacular, and as my husband said...the break was good enough that we forgot how hard real life was for a while :)
Now that is a great break!

We have hit the ground running in 2014.  Things usually slow down in January, but it hasn't in our household...with trips and birthdays approaching, it looks like a crazy first quarter.  I am still in debate and prayer over what to do about blogging.  Oh don't get me wrong...the ideas are still there,  and the love of my fingers hitting the keyboard is there, but the time to do so seems less and less and less.  So we will just have to see how 2014 goes!

We have been organizing up a storm, and I have to say that it is going pretty well...the best start of a year with kids ever!  We are not tripping over new toys like usual!  New bins have been bought, things taken to the dump and to the thrift stores, junk drawers cleaned out, and cabinets reorganized.  There are still several things to do and one whole closet to completely reorganize, but we are excited about our progress. But here is the thing...I can't do this in January and expect it to just stay this way until next January.  It takes work.  It takes effort.  It takes discipline to keep life organized.

My relationship with God can be the same as organizing life.  We can start the year off right.  We may promise to pray more, love more, read more, serve more... but it takes work to accomplish these things.  We can't just buy the prayer journal and devotion book in January and expect it to impact our lives without our effort.  Just like keeping an organized house takes daily work, keeping in tune with God's will takes daily work, prayer and reading.

I hope to keep or home life in order and not get overwhelmed with stuff, just as I hope to not let my spiritual life overwhelmed with anxieties and lack of time.  I pray 2014 will be our best yet...we will focus on the positives and not on the negative, be thankful for everything, and know God is in control of this year!

This verse is a favorite and our verse for the year...
"I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye."  
Psalms 32:8


I was excited about my new kitchen appliances...the stand mixer and the new blender.  For my first use, I thought milkshakes with fresh whip cream would be the best option.  It was even better with our new milkshake straws from my aunt!  These are great!  We just blended milk, vanilla ice cream, chocolate syrup and a touch of vanilla.  For the whipped cream, we used the mixer on high speed.  The heavy cream turned into whipped cream in no time and we simply folded in a little sugar...so yummy!