Encouragement and Challenge

"...that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith." Romans 1:12

This past weekend I had dinner with 2 of my closest friends to celebrate our birthdays. We had an amazing meal at a local restaurant, but the company was even better. There is something special about people who you have known and walked with for a really long time (and in this case I mean a decade or two). The conversation is easy, the laughs are big and without even realizing it, challenging encouragement happens too. As were discussing which shows we are watching these days and also a little politics I mentioned I like to watch a certain news program every day. One of my friends asked when do I have the time? The other swiftly replied in a teasing tone, "When she should be in bed reading her bible. That would help her sleep!" This is the where the greatness of long time friendship comes into play. While giving me a good natured hard time, she also gave me a much needed challenge about how I'm spending my time (which is very precious these days). Later on in the evening my other friend was talking about the reminding voice she hears (e.g. her mom) when things we don't like to do need to be done and asking whose voice we hear at those moments. The rebel in me chooses to ignore that voice and probably too often. Once again, a great challenge to reflect on my time spent without the sting of rebuke. I dearly love these two ladies and am very grateful for the role they take in my life!

Between my dinner conversation, a little one getting mildly injured and a really good sermon on Sunday, I've had a lot to reflect on which is never a bad thing. :)

Pause Button

Waiting, waiting, waiting...I feel like life is in limbo while I wait. I'm not sure how to proceed or what to do.

2 Corinthians 10:5
"We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. "

Her little black ballet flats

They look so precious on her feet for school. The way she poses and admires herself in the mirror. I just want to eat her up! And then the cute tomboy comes out in her and they return home all scuffed up.

And then I'm grateful I got them on clearance and have black shoe polish.

As I was saying...

I *really* love sweet tiny gherkin pickles. ;) And why are recipes containing condensed soup so ridiculously good while being so bad for you?

(this is me pretending that I didn't ignore my blog for the past two months)

 Hope you (whoever you are) had a great summer! I will hopefully be more consistent again!

Tantrum

You know it's been a rough day when your almost five year old says, "Mommy, I'm glad you are over your temper tantrum and being mad." :o/ Me too, buddy. Me too... That statement was followed by the best hugs and kisses though and an apology from Mommy.

My Little Mommy

That was and is my name for her. She was my mentor and second mom for the past 19ish years and she lost her battle with cancer last Sunday night. I got to spend time at my bestie's house tonight (who is my little mommy's actual daughter). My little mommy's husband and twin sister are staying there and they were working on the eulogy and picking out songs for the slide show. I got to be there, be a part of the process of remembering and honoring her. It was good and where I was supposed to be. I miss her. She made a tremendous impact on my life and the lives of countless others. I am weary and cannot find the words at this time to express how much I love her. Miss you so much Little Mommy and can't wait until I get to see you again!!

Vocabulary

Driving home from preschool the other day, my four year old is talking about when we get home and specifically says, "Mommy, when Caleb gets into mischief..." Not trouble, mind you, but mischief. I thought it was so cute I just about died laughing.

Hoping your day is mischief free!

I wonder if the neighbors caught that?

Wow! It's been *weeks* since I last blogged. I was a little worried I might have forgotten my password! ;o) Here's a quick update of the past six-ish weeks:

1. My toes were very sad and took a long time to heal.
2. 5 out of 6 of us had a bad stomach flu (I miraculously came out of it unscathed minus getting puked on by my oldest).
3. All of us then had a really, really bad head cold.
4. One of our dearest "couple" friends moved out of state and I tried my best to get every moment we could in with them.
5. The 49ers didn't make it to the Superbowl.
6. My husband switched careers.
7. I've felt like a basket case on many occasions.
8. My toes finally healed and I got to enjoy flip flops yesterday (I felt that gorgeous day was just for me.).

Now on to what got me back to blogging. Let me set the scene for you. It's late morning here at the house. My girl is at school and my first born boy is at his grandparents' house. I am in my kitchen talking on the phone to my sis and looking out the window while the littlest guys play. I suddenly see this blur run by and I realize it's Twin #2. The phone is quickly hung up mid conversation and flung onto the couch as I sprint for the door which is wide open. I would like to interject that we have a safety cover over the door knob which was locked and I'm pretty sure the door was bolted as well. Twin #1 is on the porch playing with a truck and Twin #2 is running across the lawn, with one rain boot on, squealing with delight that I have discovered him in the midst of his mischief. *There truly is never a dull moment around here*. After depositing the lil' stinkers back in the house I went to investigate how in the world they managed to escape. Twin #2 (who I'm convinced will be a spy someday...) apparently squeezed the cover until it popped off, unlocked both locks and released himself and his counterpart.

Later on as I'm looking out the very same window the thought crosses my mind, "I wonder how that looked to the neighbors?"

Tonight's project will be purchasing and installing a lock way up high on the door where little fingers can't reach.

I survived.

Stitches came out at 10:30 this morning and only one of the six hurt (and it wasn't that painful)! I'm laughing at what a huge ordeal I made it out to be. ;o) A little more healing needs to take place so the nurse steri-stripped my wounds and recommended I keep wearing my boot for a few more days.

Hooray for modern medicine!

My New Year's Resolution: Not to walk through broken glass barefoot again.

Big Fat Baby!

December was a rough month. The holidays were busy, I was stressed and I just didn't feel like I was doing the best job at being a wife and mom. I'm planning on working on that in 2012. My rough month ended with me slicing 2 of my toes on broken glass (the broken glass courtesy of one or both of the twins) on Christmas Eve and getting 3 stitches in each toe. To say I hate pain is a major understatement and tomorrow is the "big" day I get the stitches removed (which I'm assuming will be painful). Tonight I was lamenting to my hubby about how much I'm not looking forward it and reminding him how horribly wimpy I was when the stitches were done. His reply to this was, "Is this why your labors lasted so long?"

Why, yes, it is. :)

Happy New Year!!

I wanted to start off 2012 blogging and hope that it inspires me to keep going. Since I currently don't have anything inspiring to write, I thought I would post an e-mail I sent to a couple of friends this morning with meal ideas.

Crock Pot

Salsa Chicken: I use this for chicken taco night. Place 3-4 split chicken breasts in the crock pot and cover with Pace Picante Sauce. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Take meat out, remove the skin and bones, shred chicken and place back in crock pot to keep warm and incorporate the juices while you prepare tortillas and the fixings.

Italian Beef: Place a 3-ish lb rump roast in the crock and cover with 1 packet of Zesty Italian dressing, 1 packet of Au Jus and 3 cups of water. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Take out roast and shred meat. Place meat on sandwich rolls with bbq sauce or put some of the Au Jus in a bowl and dip like french dip.

Beef Stroganoff: Place the following 5 ingredients in crock: 2 lbs stew meat (cut into 1-2 in cubes), 1 can cream of mushroom or chicken, 1 can cream of celery, 1 packet onion soup mix and 1 cup burgundy (or red) wine. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Serve with cooked egg noodles and sour cream. Peas are a very yummy compliment to this meal.

Pot Roast: Brown a chuck roast (3-4 lbs in size) on the stove. In the meantime cut an onion or 2 into slices and chunk up 2-3 stalks of celery and place them in crock. Place the roast on top of the veggies and cover with a can of cream of celery and a packet of onion soup mix. Cook on low for 8-10 hours. Remove roast to platter to cut and serve. Discard veggies and spoon out gravy to serve with the roast.

Hirino Psito: This is a shredded pork for sandwiches recipe. http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/2009/03/crockpot-hirino-psito-slow-roasted-pork.html

Chili is also an easy thing to cook in the crockpot.


Make Ahead and Cook Later…(you can make these earlier in the day and keep covered in the fridge until you are ready to bake them)

Three Cheese Baked Rigatoni: I like to think of this as "fake" lasagna.

1 lb of ground beef
4 1/2 cups rigatoni (or 12-13 oz)
One 25 oz jar of marinara sauce
2 cloves of garlic, pressed
1 tsp olive oil
3/4 c ricotta cheese
1/4 c grated Parmesan cheese
3/4 c (or 3 oz) shredded mozzarella cheese

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. Prepare rigatoni according to pkg directions and return to pot after draining. In the meantime, brown ground beef in a lg skillet. Drain fat and return to skillet. Add the marinara sauce, garlic and olive oil; bring to a boil. Lower heat, cover and simmer for ten minutes. Stir the sauce into the rigatoni. Place half the rigatoni into a 3-qt casserole dish. Top with combined ricotta and Parmesan cheese. Add remaining rigatoni and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover; bake 20 minutes. Uncover; bake 5 minutes more.

Lemon Greek Chicken: This is *so* yummy! I omit the mushrooms because I don't like them. ;o) http://www.pamperedchef.com/recipe_search/recipe.jsp?id=49756

Braised Beef Chuck Roast: This slow cooks in the oven for 4 hours and is a great Sunday meal. :) http://bakeoff-flunkie.blogspot.com/2009/12/braised-beef-chuck-roast.html

Meatballs: Make them in the morning and store them in the fridge until you get home and can prepare them.

Here is a great "article" from The Sister's Cafe on making freezer meals. The "author" just bakes her stuff frozen. http://www.thesisterscafe.com/2010/08/freezer-meals-2


Enjoy and Happy New Year!!!