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Thursday, October 7, 2010

Delicious Dishes


(It's been a while so it's a long one tonight!)
Now that cooler temps have arrived I've started baking again! I LOVE baking during the fall and winter but not so much in the summer, it's usually SO hot here and the last thing you want to do is make your home even hotter, so we do a lot of grilling during the hotter months.
Two nights ago I baked a whole chicken, green beans, and croissant rolls for dinner. It was delicious and made the house smell so good (I think that's 1/2 the goodness when my home smells good from good food:) The next night I had to run off to school, so it was a sandwich night. Tonight I finally was able to use some more of the baked chicken that was left over and tried Chicken Pot Pie (pictured). Absolutely delicious thanks to my Betty Crocker recipe book! Although I tried to cut down on the fat and only made a top crust instead of a bottom crust as well. I'm glad I did because it was plenty rich!
So I still have chicken left over and will make homemade chicken noodle soup tomorrow. Or maybe I'll freeze it - have to see what I feel like baking tomorrow. My husband loves when I experiment and serve up delicious dishes - so it's fun trying new things!

As for my girl and school, she's loving it and I'm loving it too :) I feel like it's a partnership with the teacher and us. I love the emphasis on Jesus, the atmosphere and vision of the staff, as well as the academics(she's reading fantastic!)
The other day she told me her friend got in trouble for talking during quiet time because she was singing " Strength will rise as we wait upon the Lord, wait upon the Lord." (Lincoln Brewster http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gYx4Cv9CPFE) "wow" I thought, I'm glad that's what she got in trouble for and not for singing something else!

She keeps asking me when she can take the bus, she can't because we don't live in the vicinity of the bus route. So she asked me if we were going to move closer, which we're looking at, and if we did it would be a "dream come true" for her. Wow - this girl REALLY wants to ride a school bus! LOL!
As for my boy, we're settling into a little routine and I'm loving spending time with him. Although he misses "sissy" so I'm trying to help him adjust with that too.
I've started a little bit of homeschooling with him (I homeschool for preschool) but he's just over 2 years so I'm trying to make it fun and keep up with his short attention span. It's funny, well I think it is, because he's the youngest and is bossy wanting things his way (a common trait in toddlers!) but I always thought younger children weren't that bossy. I wasn't and was pretty easy going as a child but that's my personality so maybe birth order doesn't have as much bearing as I thought? Anyway, he likes things a certain way so has good Leadership abilities which I pray for wisdom in guiding him. I put a new table runner on my coffee table the other day and he told me he didn't "yike it!" So he brought out the previous one, took off the new one, and put the other one back on. Then put my pumpkin decoration in the middle. Funny I thought then I switched it back. I thought of all the things that were "wrong" with that scenario but then decided to look at the good :)
Speaking of looking at the good, God has put that on my heart lately instead of looking at the negative.
I really have a heart for people and want to convey his love and freedom he desires for them. I sometimes wonder if people really know how much God loves them. I don't even think I realize it half the time. Do they know how absolutely special God created them and how awesome it is that the HUGE GREAT BIG God of the universe wants to have a relationship with them? Do you know it? I'm still learning and in awe how much I need and want my ways to be his ways.

Well I'm going to go for now, I'm getting tired and need to help daddy put our pip and squeak to bed.

Monday, August 30, 2010

First day of a new journey


Our oldest daughter started kindergarten today and I bawled like a baby...even now if I think about it too much I'll start crying.
I knew this day would arrive and it's such a weird feeling, excited and sad all at the same time.
She's such a wonderful girl in every way! I'm so thankful that God chose me and her to be mom and daughter.
So now I'm sitting in a VERY quiet house as my son is napping and wondering what I'm going to do. I mean I know what I'm going to do but it's all a bit of an adjustment. I'm reminded, again, of how fast time flies. It seems not very long ago at all that I was holding their newborn little hands in mine and holding their floppy heads safely. Wow! How do you redeem the time with them each and every day? Isn't there a way to make it all slow down? I'd like to know how...if it's possible...but I know it's not.
So I will try my hardest to enjoy every single stage in their lives and always let them know how much they mean to their dad and I.

Tuesday, June 15, 2010

Sometimes...I know...

Sometimes it's hard to keep looking up and trusting that God has ALL things under control.
Sometimes I get caught up in looking at my circumstances or disappointments instead of at the big picture.
Sometimes I can't see the big picture...
I know God has perfect sight even when I can't see.
I know God let's everything happen for a reason or even many reasons.
I know God is sovereign, omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient.

God please help my times of doubting and replace with knowing that ALL things work together for the good of those, who love God, and are called according to HIS purpose.

Monday, April 5, 2010

Easter 2010


So yesterday was Easter and we really had a great day!

My two little cuties were absolutely thrilled with the baskets well actually my daughter (4yr old) was but my little boy (almost 2 yr old) only wanted the chocolate.


Church was great too! I really like teaching the high school Sunday School class. I spent most of the Pastor's sermon in the nursery though with little buddy.


Then after church we went to Mrs. H's house, where she goes ALL out for Easter. It was like Christmas! Lots of food and presents. We really had fun! It was so nice of her to invite us over.


Here's a pic of my little ones dressed up. Caleb is trying to smile -that's why he's squinting. :)

Monday, March 22, 2010

3 cheers for Spring!

I'm so glad warmer weather is on the way! It's mid-March and this past weekend it was in the 70's. The flowers are all starting to come up and all the tree's have buds on them. I LOVE this time of year! It's now pouring rain but that's okay because I know sunshine is ahead :)

I've recently become part of a "mom's" group and am really enjoying it. We go out every couple of weeks for dinner (without kids) and have adult conversations. LOVE that and definitely NEED that! I haven't really noticed up until lately my need for something more than just staying home with my kids. Of course I love them unconditionally, they're absolutely adorable, and I'm very blessed. BUT (yes there's a but:) I do miss conversations with the girls which I use to get at work all the time but since I quit to stay home I don't get that anymore. I don't regret my decision to stay home because I know no one will love my kids like I do. I have a hard time trusting anyone to take care of them while their young anyway.
My little Missy is 4 "going on 5" as she says and I definitely feel more comfortable with someone watching her because she's older. My little buddy is just shy of 2 and I'm getting more comfortable but will feel better when he can talk a bit more.
On the other hand we're (my husband and I) are going to have to find someone because we need some date nights and 3x a year is not enough! That's about how many times we see our family per year. So we don't have the luxury of dropping our kids off anytime we want to for them to watch.
I'm not sure where to start... However I do have a very nice lady (my friends mom) that watches them for me 1x a week right now so I can go to a ladies Bible study. Which I'm thankful for. I'm really enjoying the speaker, Beth Moore, and the studies that she's put together.
We finished Daniel and now we're onto Esther.
Now onto more laundry...

Friday, January 8, 2010

Christmas 2009


I've been pretty much convinced that gift cards are the way to go for Christmas gifts. Both giving and receiving. That was up until this past Christmas and my favorite gift isn't money at all! It's a picture display that my SIL made for me and I love it!

I did miss family but it was nice to have a low-key day, not having to be any place at any certain time. The kids were a lot of fun and Sarah told me "this was the best Chwissmas ever!"

She first woke us up around 8am saying she saw some things under the tree and a mootoo-cycle that she thought was for Caleb.

So her favorite gift was both Wii games and Caleb's favorite thing is whatever sister's favorite thing is.

As for the Wii - my daughter is obsessed with this thing! I'm not sure if it's because she's so competitive, likes to win, or hates to lose.

So now it's 2010...another year to make a difference...