Friday, January 30, 2009
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Psalm 42-a moms version...
Psalm 42 has been on my heart a lot this week. This morning I am going to go through each verse and try and figure out what God is saying to moms in this passage...
42:1 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.
-In the morning when you see a hard day waiting for you, it is in God that we look for guidance and peace.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
-On these hard days thinking about standing before the Lord makes all the menial tasks important.
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long,“Where is your God?”
-When you are at your wits end and nothing seems to be going your way, meditate on the presence of God. He is right there with you, waiting for you to cast your cares upon Him and sink into His arms.
4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise,a multitude keeping festival.
-It is our job to do everything we can to lead our children in a throng to the house of God. Our own little throng, the thought gives me goose bumps.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
-Our hope is not in anyone or anything, it is in God.
6. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
-Remembering all the wonderful qualities of God reminds us that we are not super moms but we have a super God.
7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.
-Only when we allow God to wash His mercy and compassion over us, can we offer mercy and compassion to our children and our husbands.
8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
-The Lord supplies all that we need both day and night.
9 I say to God, my rock:“Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
-Satan wants us to look everywhere except to the Lord for our worth. We shouldn't mourn what we do not have or what we wish we were. We should rejoice in all that the Lord is doing to us and through us. That is what really matters.
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long,“Where is your God?”
-Bad times will come. The world will look to us to see how we handle betrayal, financial difficulties, sickness and all the other things that cause us anxiety and fear. Show them where you go in times of turmoil. Let them see the way to true peace and happiness.
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
-As mothers we have no idea how each day will play out. But we know who will be with us. At those moments when we are struggling to keep it all together lets remember that God is our hope. Lets take a moment to praise God for the day before us and to put in His hands all that we want to accomplish. But more importantly, to wait eagerly for all that the Lord is going to accomplish through us as mothers. He has a plan for our day..how exciting is that!
42:1 As a deer pants for flowing streams, so pants my soul for you, O God.
-In the morning when you see a hard day waiting for you, it is in God that we look for guidance and peace.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?
-On these hard days thinking about standing before the Lord makes all the menial tasks important.
3 My tears have been my food day and night, while they say to me all the day long,“Where is your God?”
-When you are at your wits end and nothing seems to be going your way, meditate on the presence of God. He is right there with you, waiting for you to cast your cares upon Him and sink into His arms.
4 These things I remember, as I pour out my soul: how I would go with the throng and lead them in procession to the house of God with glad shouts and songs of praise,a multitude keeping festival.
-It is our job to do everything we can to lead our children in a throng to the house of God. Our own little throng, the thought gives me goose bumps.
5 Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
-Our hope is not in anyone or anything, it is in God.
6. My soul is cast down within me; therefore I remember you from the land of Jordan and of Hermon, from Mount Mizar.
-Remembering all the wonderful qualities of God reminds us that we are not super moms but we have a super God.
7 Deep calls to deep at the roar of your waterfalls; all your breakers and your waves have gone over me.
-Only when we allow God to wash His mercy and compassion over us, can we offer mercy and compassion to our children and our husbands.
8 By day the Lord commands his steadfast love, and at night his song is with me, a prayer to the God of my life.
-The Lord supplies all that we need both day and night.
9 I say to God, my rock:“Why have you forgotten me? Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?”
-Satan wants us to look everywhere except to the Lord for our worth. We shouldn't mourn what we do not have or what we wish we were. We should rejoice in all that the Lord is doing to us and through us. That is what really matters.
10 As with a deadly wound in my bones, my adversaries taunt me, while they say to me all the day long,“Where is your God?”
-Bad times will come. The world will look to us to see how we handle betrayal, financial difficulties, sickness and all the other things that cause us anxiety and fear. Show them where you go in times of turmoil. Let them see the way to true peace and happiness.
11 Why are you cast down, O my soul,and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God.
-As mothers we have no idea how each day will play out. But we know who will be with us. At those moments when we are struggling to keep it all together lets remember that God is our hope. Lets take a moment to praise God for the day before us and to put in His hands all that we want to accomplish. But more importantly, to wait eagerly for all that the Lord is going to accomplish through us as mothers. He has a plan for our day..how exciting is that!
Monday, January 26, 2009
Daddy Time and a school update
Aaron is an awesome dad. I absolutely love watching his relationship with the kids. He makes time to play with each of them. He truly makes them all feel special and loved. I snapped a picture of Elliana playing with her daddy...
School has been going really well. Here is a little overview for each of the boys...
Everyday Asher works on reading and writing. He also has lessons in science, poetry and bible. He gets to choose the other activities he wants to do each day (art, piano....).
Joshua starts out each day reading in his bed (that takes about an hour, he reads from multiple sources). After completing his reading we work on math, spelling, writing, world cultures, language arts, Spanish and handwriting. Today he wrote a poem about snakes-
Slick and poisonous
A snake frightens rarely
And when a human comes
Slick, slither, bite, Ouch!
Below is a picture of Joshua working on a Spanish lesson (he is putting together our family tree using the Spanish words for each type of relative-Grandma Sandy=abuela)
I am off to finish school and make chocolate chip cookies!
Saturday, January 24, 2009
We will all be healthy..someday :)
We have been fighting illness at our house for several weeks. At this point only two members of my family are well. The other three are suffering from the flu and or colds. These pictures of Elliana and Joshua show how everyone in my house feels...tired. 
I made one of the kids favorite meals tonight- Calzones! (Aaron and I like them too) You can use any pizza toppings you like, so it's easy for everyone to get just what they want. Just an FYI- I cook almost everything on a pizza stone from Pampered Chef (no metal cookie sheets).
DIRECTIONS
1. To Make Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the oil, sugar and salt; mix in 1 cup of the flour until smooth. Gradually stir in the rest of the flour, until dough is smooth and workable. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it is elastic. Lay dough in a bowl containing 1 teaspoon olive oil, then flip the dough, cover and let rise for 40 minutes, or until almost doubled.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. When dough is ready, punch it down and separate it into 4 equal parts. Roll parts out into thin circles on a lightly floured surface. Fill each circle with 1/2 of the cheese/meat filling and fold over, securing edges by folding in and pressing with a fork. Brush the top of each calzone with egg and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve hot.
Calzones
INGREDIENTS
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup pepperoni
• 1 egg, beaten
INGREDIENTS
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 1 cup warm water
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, divided
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup pepperoni
• 1 egg, beaten
DIRECTIONS
1. To Make Dough: In a small bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add the oil, sugar and salt; mix in 1 cup of the flour until smooth. Gradually stir in the rest of the flour, until dough is smooth and workable. Knead dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, or until it is elastic. Lay dough in a bowl containing 1 teaspoon olive oil, then flip the dough, cover and let rise for 40 minutes, or until almost doubled.
2. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
4. When dough is ready, punch it down and separate it into 4 equal parts. Roll parts out into thin circles on a lightly floured surface. Fill each circle with 1/2 of the cheese/meat filling and fold over, securing edges by folding in and pressing with a fork. Brush the top of each calzone with egg and place on a lightly greased cookie sheet.
5. Bake at 375 degrees F (190 degrees C) for 30 minutes. Serve hot.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Recipes!!!
She is just soooo pretty! She takes my breathe away :) OK back to the recipes....I am so excited for dinner tonight!! I am attaching recipes for our meal because it is one of our favorites. We are having Cheesy Bacon Potato Soup, Grandma Sandy’s Rolls and for dessert Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars! I am also attaching some recent pictures of the kids…ENJOY!!
Cheesy Bacon Potato Soup
Ingredients:
Red potatoes (8-10)
2 cups water
1 small onion
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
Crushed red pepper flakes
Ground black pepper
3 cups milk
½ teaspoon sugar
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I am using a mixture of jalapeno cheddar and bacon cheddar)
Shredded cooked bacon (crumbled)-I use a whole package
Peel potatoes and cut into 1 inch cubes. Bring water to a boil in large sauce pan. Add potatoes and cook until tender. Drain, reserving liquid. Set aside potatoes. Measure 1 cup cooking liquid, adding water, if necessary; set aside. Peel and finely chop onion. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion to saucepan; cook, stirring frequently; until onion is translucent and tender, but not brown. Add flour to saucepan; season with pepper flakes and black pepper to taste. Cook 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually ad potatoes reserved 1 cup cooking liquid, milk and sugar to onion mixture in saucepan; stir well. Add cheese and ham. Simmer over low heat 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Store leftovers, covered, in refrigerator.
Grandma Sandy’s Thanksgiving Rolls
Ingredients:
1 cup milk
½ cup margarine- melted
¼ cup sugar
2 eggs
¾ teaspoon salt
4 cups all purpose flour
1 package yeast
Put milk and butter in the microwave to melt. Put all ingredients in order into the bread machine on the dough cycle. Separate dough in to 16 balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Let the rolls rise for 30 minutes. Brush each roll with mixture of 1 egg and 1 tablespoon water. Cook at 375 degrees for 16 minutes (maybe a little less).
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup brown sugar
¾ cup butter flavored Crisco
2 tablespoons milk
1 table spoon vanilla
1 egg
1 ¾ cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 inch dish. Place brown sugar, shortening, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Add egg; beat well. Combine flour. Salt and baking soda. Add to shortening mixture; beat at low speed just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.
Press dough evenly onto pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned and firm in center. Do not over bake.
Cheesy Bacon Potato Soup
Ingredients:
Red potatoes (8-10)
2 cups water
1 small onion
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
Crushed red pepper flakes
Ground black pepper
3 cups milk
½ teaspoon sugar
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (I am using a mixture of jalapeno cheddar and bacon cheddar)
Shredded cooked bacon (crumbled)-I use a whole package
Peel potatoes and cut into 1 inch cubes. Bring water to a boil in large sauce pan. Add potatoes and cook until tender. Drain, reserving liquid. Set aside potatoes. Measure 1 cup cooking liquid, adding water, if necessary; set aside. Peel and finely chop onion. Melt butter in saucepan over medium heat. Add onion to saucepan; cook, stirring frequently; until onion is translucent and tender, but not brown. Add flour to saucepan; season with pepper flakes and black pepper to taste. Cook 3 to 4 minutes. Gradually ad potatoes reserved 1 cup cooking liquid, milk and sugar to onion mixture in saucepan; stir well. Add cheese and ham. Simmer over low heat 30 minutes, stirring frequently. Store leftovers, covered, in refrigerator.
Grandma Sandy’s Thanksgiving Rolls
Ingredients:
1 cup milk
½ cup margarine- melted
¼ cup sugar
2 eggs
¾ teaspoon salt
4 cups all purpose flour
1 package yeast
Put milk and butter in the microwave to melt. Put all ingredients in order into the bread machine on the dough cycle. Separate dough in to 16 balls. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Let the rolls rise for 30 minutes. Brush each roll with mixture of 1 egg and 1 tablespoon water. Cook at 375 degrees for 16 minutes (maybe a little less).
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
1 ¼ cup brown sugar
¾ cup butter flavored Crisco
2 tablespoons milk
1 table spoon vanilla
1 egg
1 ¾ cup all purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
¾ teaspoon baking soda
1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 13 x 9 inch dish. Place brown sugar, shortening, milk and vanilla in a large bowl. Beat at medium speed of electric mixer until well blended. Add egg; beat well. Combine flour. Salt and baking soda. Add to shortening mixture; beat at low speed just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips.
Press dough evenly onto pan.
Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned and firm in center. Do not over bake.
Elliana is feeling better! (she is also VERY tall, she is almost the height the boys were when they were three..she isn't even two yet!)
Asher reading to Elliana
My cute, awesome and amazing 7 year old! 
Monday, January 19, 2009
My LIfe Song
Savior, please take my hand
I work so hard, I live so fast
This life begins, and then it ends
And I do the best that I can, but I don't know how long I'll last
I try to be so tough
But I'm just not strong enough
I can't do this alone, God I need You to hold on to me
I try to be good enough
But I'm nothing without Your love
Savior, please keep saving me
Savior, please help me stand
I fall so hard, I fade so fast
Will You begin right where I end
And be the God of all I am because You're all I have
Hallelujah
Everything You are to me
Is everything I'll ever need
And I am learning to believe
That I don't have to prove a thing
'Cause You're the one who's saving me
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Speechless
Right now I am in such a state of thankfulness. In the last three days I have been taken from the brink of disaster to my knees. On Friday afternoon I took Elliana to the doctor due to a lingering cold. They checked her oxygen saturation, listened to her chest and ordered a chest x-ray. The results indicated the beginning stages of pneumonia. That was scary but the doctor gave us a strong antibiotic and sent us home. With instructions that if she got worse I should call and let them know. I left the doctors at around 12:30pm. We went home and gave Elliana her first dose of antibiotic and Tylenol for her fever and put her down for a nap.
When she woke up from her nap I expected her to be a bit better. She looked horrible. She was extremely lethargic and she vomited. I called the doctor and he said take her to the ER or bring her to my office. I opted for his office and we were there in about 10 minutes (she threw up again as we pulled into the parking lot). They checked her oxygen saturation several times. Each result was as devastating as the last. The doctor came in and said he was going to admit her to the hospital for oxygen. He feared that the pneumonia had gotten worse. At this point I was about to lose it. Then he tells me that because I would be at the hospital soon, he did not think we needed to take her via an ambulance. At this point I was long gone.
I rushed her to the van and sped to the hospital. I called Aaron to update him and to say the least I was in hysterics. He reminded me that Elliana needed me to get her to the hospital and that I would need to pull myself together. After speaking to him I called my sister to start our family prayer chain (it is such a blessing to have siblings and a mother that I know will pray for me and my family whenever I am in need). The message I left on my sisters machine was I am sure hard to understand and scary to hear. Once the phone calls were made I continued to pray that God would heal my little girl. I wanted her better immediately. In between my prayers I was yelling at vehicles to get out of my way, I am sure that God understood :)
We arrived at the hospital, registered and Elliana and I headed for pediatrics. They checked her oxygen saturation...it was normal. It stayed normal all night long. I am in such a state of thankfulness. We stayed the night to make sure she was ok. The next morning we were sent home and she is continuing to improve. I am in awe of God's presence. The thought that He cares so much for me and my little girl that He heard my prayers and the prayers of my family, just leaves me speechless. He chooses moments like these to show me that I am always dependent on Him.
When she woke up from her nap I expected her to be a bit better. She looked horrible. She was extremely lethargic and she vomited. I called the doctor and he said take her to the ER or bring her to my office. I opted for his office and we were there in about 10 minutes (she threw up again as we pulled into the parking lot). They checked her oxygen saturation several times. Each result was as devastating as the last. The doctor came in and said he was going to admit her to the hospital for oxygen. He feared that the pneumonia had gotten worse. At this point I was about to lose it. Then he tells me that because I would be at the hospital soon, he did not think we needed to take her via an ambulance. At this point I was long gone.
I rushed her to the van and sped to the hospital. I called Aaron to update him and to say the least I was in hysterics. He reminded me that Elliana needed me to get her to the hospital and that I would need to pull myself together. After speaking to him I called my sister to start our family prayer chain (it is such a blessing to have siblings and a mother that I know will pray for me and my family whenever I am in need). The message I left on my sisters machine was I am sure hard to understand and scary to hear. Once the phone calls were made I continued to pray that God would heal my little girl. I wanted her better immediately. In between my prayers I was yelling at vehicles to get out of my way, I am sure that God understood :)
We arrived at the hospital, registered and Elliana and I headed for pediatrics. They checked her oxygen saturation...it was normal. It stayed normal all night long. I am in such a state of thankfulness. We stayed the night to make sure she was ok. The next morning we were sent home and she is continuing to improve. I am in awe of God's presence. The thought that He cares so much for me and my little girl that He heard my prayers and the prayers of my family, just leaves me speechless. He chooses moments like these to show me that I am always dependent on Him.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
My latest project..
I have been quilting for several years. But I have never tried to make clothing. I decided to sew some dresses for my beauty. Here are the results :) She is so sweet!!
Words from Fr. Neuhaus
Fr. Neuhaus passed away a few days ago. Someone on The Corner posted this little talk on faith, contentment, good preaching and marriage. I found it encouraging. So enjoy. RIP Fr. Neuhaus.
Psa 46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. Psa 46:9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. Psa 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psa 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Sela
Psa 46:8 Come, behold the works of the LORD, how he has brought desolations on the earth. Psa 46:9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; he breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the chariots with fire. Psa 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Psa 46:11 The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress. Sela
Friday, January 9, 2009
For Aaron..
When I took this picture she was saying "sorry" :)
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
What is important??
This is something that God has been whispering to me. I am a pretty passionate and dedicated person. Very much type-A personality...on steroids. At any given time I have about a dozen to do lists and the drive to complete each and every one of them.
But while I am checking off the items on all of my lists what am I missing? What if I stopped keeping track of my things to accomplish and started keeping track of the things that mattered?
Things that matter..
A smile from my son
A hug from my husband
A hug from my husband
A nice long quiet time with the Lord
Cuddling with my kids
Following my daughter all over the house
Talking with my husband
Talking to my kids about God
Instilling values in my children
Listening to my kids play
Telling my kids all the dreams I have for them
Listening to my kids tell me all of the dreams that they have for themselves
Dreaming with my husband
Time spent in prayer
Laughing with those I love
These items are not tangible. But they are moments that last a lifetime, within me. God did not put us on this earth to complete our to do lists. He put us here to bring Him glory through our interactions with those around us.
A moment I am glad I stopped and cherished...Elliana's hands folded in prayer..
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Relaxing Weekend :)
It has been a relaxing weekend at our house. I am not sure if we left the house more than once or twice. It has been great to get some extra rest and have some family time. Here are some pictures I snapped…
My little girl is ready to go running with mama :)
Aaron and the kids wrestling....
Joshua is writing a book. He entitled it "War of the Rings"
We have a rule at our house that you have to read the book before you see the movie. So Joshua is reading Despearoux (along with about three other books). After he finishes a section I read it and we discuss it together. It has been a lot of fun :)
We have a rule at our house that you have to read the book before you see the movie. So Joshua is reading Despearoux (along with about three other books). After he finishes a section I read it and we discuss it together. It has been a lot of fun :)
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